Waterlogged Crypt

Despite throbbing limbs and feet, (thank you arthritis), I had slept fairly well and set off again for St Mark's Square, this time via vaporetto from Fondamento Nuovo, only 5 minutes away (for active people). I called in at the Church of the Gesuiti which boasts a magnificent work by Titian on the left as you go in. It depicts the martyrdom of St Lawrence. Titian's vision leaves us in no doubt of the horror and brutality of the killing. His power connects.

The church itself is magnificently, perhaps over opulently, decorated in green and white marble, fashioned to look like textiles. Carved marble drapes over the pulpit.The ceiling frescoes are awe inspiring.

Waiting for the boat, I bumped into people from Britain and New Zealand dressed up to share in the joy of Carnival.

The boat ride took 30 minutes, taking me round the eastern side of the island, which enabled me to identify places on the map. It felt like lunch time when I arrived at St Marco Zaccaria, so I took a plate of spaghetti, senza glutine, at a trattoria on the Calle Rubera. This meal cost me twice as much as on the preceding day for the same content. Moral: walk as far as you can from St Mark's for reasonable prices.

While sitting at table, I'd seen several people dressed in costume wander to and fro over the bridge outside. When I went out, I saw to the left a rather attractive looking church, with pink and white marble facade, facing on to its own square. This proved to be the church of San Zaccaria. Wonder upon wonders, the square was populated by Venetians dressed in masks and costumes, and photographers. There weren't that many tourists. I took as many photos as I could before entering the church. See extra.

The church contains a painting by Bellini, of which it is justly proud, Madonna and Child with Saints. In fact, the walls are covered with wonderful examples of 17th and 18th century art.

The crypt is waterlogged, as you can see in the main photo. A path of bricks enables you to walk across. The water level fluctuates with the tidal level of the lagoon. The crypt is closed when it gets too high.