The Venice Insider

03/09/2024

When attending in Venice, make sure to also visit the exhibition of Berlinde De Bruyckere in the basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore. The huge sculptures covered in veils stand on their toes on high pedestals and are reflected in a mirror. These ‘arcangeli’ (archangels) are really impressive, especially in the monumental setting of this church built by Palladio.

This exhibition is one of the stunning artworks mentioned in ‘The insider guide to the Venice Art Biennale 2024’. You can still order your copy in English, Italian or Dutch >>> https://amzn.to/3wPXOoa

31/08/2024

🌟 Discover the hidden treasures of Venice! 🌟

Did you know that tucked away on the edge of San Polo and Dorsoduro lies a church with a secret? 🤫 The San Pantalon church may look modest from the outside, but step inside, and you’ll be amazed by its breathtaking ceiling painting and its treasure trove of baroque art! 🎨✨

Explore this lesser-known gem in my latest post: “The masterpieces behind San Pantalon’s modest brick façade”. Whether you’re a Venice veteran or planning your first visit, this hidden treasure deserves a spot on your must-visit list! 🏛️✨

👉 Read the full story and uncover why San Pantalon is a Venice treasure you won’t want to miss: https://www.theveniceinsider.com/the-masterpieces-behind-san-pantalons-modest-brick-facade/

28/08/2024

Today is the official start of the Film Festival of La Biennale di Venezia. Have you ever attended it, either by watching the movie stars on the red carpet or attending one of the movies?

21/08/2024

The Regata Storica is one of the most celebrated traditions of Venice. It's a mix of a historical boat parade and traditional rowing races along Canal Grande. The next edition is coming up soon, i.e. on September 1.

Have you already attended it? I did a few times and I especially like to watch the regatas.

If you are in the Venice in the coming days, don't miss this opportunity. In my post (https://www.theveniceinsider.com/experience-the-thrill-of-the-regata-storica-in-venice/), I give you practical details about the program, as well as some insider tips to find the perfect place to watch it.

Regata Storica di Venezia - Official Page

15/08/2024

🛶 Venice is calling! 📚If you’re dreaming of your next trip to La Serenissima, I got the perfect literary journey for you. I have selected a list of 10 incredible books that will transport you straight to the heart of Venice. From thrilling mysteries to romantic adventures, these reads are perfect for your next trip – or your travel daydreams!

Explore 10 mesmerizing books set in Venice. Uncover thrilling mysteries, romantic stories, and expert guides that bring the beauty of Venice to life.

11/08/2024

Today I visited the exhibition of at in Antwerp. I discovered that this Belgian artist participated to the 35th Art Biennale in Venice in 1970 in the pavilion of Belgium.

The last painting in the series is called Venice by night.

27/07/2024

🎨✨ Discover the best free art exhibitions during the Venice Biennale 2024! 🖼️✨

Dive into the art extravaganza without breaking the bank. From grand palazzos to hidden churches, discover the best free art exhibitions in Venice. Swipe to explore breathtaking installations and plan your visit to these must-see spots. Ready for your art adventure? Click the link in bio or follow this link https://www.theveniceinsider.com/discover-the-best-free-art-exhibitions-during-the-biennale-in-venice/

21/07/2024

Tomorrow, July 22, the Art Biennale in Venice will be exceptionally open on a Monday. If you are in Venice, don’t miss this opportunity to visit the most stunning exhibitions and impressive artworks.

You can find more practical tips and an overview of the pavilions and artworks not to miss in ‘The insider guide to the Venice Art Biennale 2024’. Order your copy via https://amzn.to/3wPXOoa or via the links in bio.

13/07/2024

🌟 Discover the enchantment of Palazzo Fortuny in Venice! 🌟

If you love Venice as much as I do, you won't want to miss a visit to my favorite palazzo - Museo di Palazzo Fortuny. Steeped in history and brimming with art, this gothic masterpiece offers an enchanting experience like no other. Dive into the fascinating story of Mariano Fortuny and be captivated by the stunning ‘Selva’ exhibition by Eva Jospin. Click the link below to read more and plan your visit! ✨🖼️



Read more:

Explore the enchanting Palazzo Fortuny in Venice, a hidden gem full of art and history and the stunning 'Selva' exhibition by Eva Jospin.

12/07/2024

If you are planning a visit to the Art Biennale in Venice, don’t forget to buy your insider guide. It will give you all the information you need to prepare your visit and guide you to the most stunning artworks.

The guide is available in English, Italian and Dutch. You can order it through the link in bio.

11/07/2024

If you are attending the fireworks of the Festa del Redentore and you would love to watch it from Zattere or Giudecca, reservations can be made as of today.

I really love the Festa del Redentore, especially the fireworks and the regatas. This event is still largely celebrated by the Venetians. You can read more about the history and the activities in the weekend of July 19 in this post.

Have you already attended this event?

The Festa del Redentore is one of the most important traditional events in Venice. This post gives you some background and practical tips.

09/07/2024

The Università Ca' Foscari Venezia has released an app which guides you through the historical Venice. There are currently 3 rails: ‘Venice Unmasked’ (1730), ‘Boats, Bridges and Battles’ (1639) and ‘City of Refuge’ (1572).

The explanation by historians is available in English and in Italian. It sounds very interesting and I will certainly try it on my next visit.

If you are in Venice and you try it, please let me know your feedback.

The links to AppStore and GooglePlay are available in the article.

Have fun!

📲 Hidden Venice è un’app immersiva che ci guida alla scoperta della città seguendo la mappa storica di Ludovico Ughi (1729). Possiamo così visitare luoghi iconici, ponti e chiese al di fuori dei classici percorsi turistici, e vivere la città a cavallo tra passato e presente.

Realizzata dal prof. Fabrizio Nevola (University of Exeter) con un team di ricerca del Venice Centre for Digital and Public Humanities, è disponibile su AppStore e GooglePlay.

➡️ Leggi l’articolo: bit.ly/CFnews_HiddenVenice

Dipartimento di Studi Umanistici - Università Ca' Foscari Venezia

07/07/2024

If you will be in Venice before the end of August, I highly recommend to visit the exhibition of James Lee Byars and Seung-Taek Lee. It takes place in the Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere e Arti, between Campo Santo Stefano and the Accademia bridge.

The gold and the ropes of the artworks blend perfectly well in the beautiful old library and stunning rooms.

I hesitated to add this exhibition to my insider guide to the Biennale (https://www.theveniceinsider.com/the-insider-guide-to-the-venice-art-biennale-2024/) but as it doesn’t run until the end of November, I didn’t.

29/06/2024

NEW POST: The unknown banking history of the Rialto area in Venice

Rialto stands for much more than only the bridge or the market. The area around Campo San Giacomo was in fact a pioneering place in banking and finance in the public and private sectors during the Middle Ages. In this post, you will discover how some of the things we now consider to be normal (such as not paying in cash or a printed overview of exchange rates) were first initiated in Venice.

Thanks to Clive, one of my loyal followers, for this tip! As I have a financial background, this really triggered my interest so I decided to do some research to complement the information I received from Clive.

Most people think about the Rialto bridge or the Rialto market, but historically, the Rialto neighborhood was the economic centre of Venice.

23/06/2024

Buona domenica! The canals of Venice never stop to impress me. I can’t even count the number of pictures i have taken of these canals.

14/06/2024

The theme of this year’s Art Biennale in Venice is ‘Foreigners Everywhere’. The event is curated by Adriano Pedrosa. If you want to know what to expect, I suggest you read this post: https://www.theveniceinsider.com/what-to-expect-from-the-art-biennale-2024/ . The pictures here give you a preview of some of the artworks in Arsenale.

07/06/2024

NEW POST 😊

When I plan my trips to Venice, I try to combine it with one of the traditional events as I love to watch regatas and most of these events include a rowing race.

In this post, I will give you an overview of the most important traditional events and explain the history and rationale behind each of these.

Which one is your favourite?

Venice is known for its history and its traditional events. Discover the most important events and the history behind each of these.

04/06/2024

When in Venice, take your time to discover the streets where there are no tourists and where you can enjoy the beauty of the city at ease. You just need to move away from the crowded streets, follow your intuition and you will be surprised to find empty streets.

These pictures are taken in the part of Castello behind Arsenale and towards Celestia during the very crowded opening week of the Biennale.

02/06/2024

If you are looking for a photographer or want to improve your photography skills while you are in Venice, I can highly recommend Eva of Stud-Io Immagino Venezia.

01/06/2024

Even though I just returned from Venice, I'm already thinking about my next trip. Here's an overview of all the things I take into account and do before setting foot again in this magical city.

How to prepare your trip to Venice, from setting the date over deciding what to do, where to stay or what to pack.

31/05/2024

Oproep aan mijn Belgische volgers: Amazon steunt blijkbaar Amazon België niet, waardoor ik geen commissie krijg op de boeken die via deze site verkocht worden 😒 Indien jullie mijn boek willen bestellen, dan zou ik het waarderen als jullie dit via Amazon Nederland willen doen (verzending is in principe gratis) of ze rechtstreeks bij mij te bestellen. Dan stuur ik ze zelf op via de post.

📚 De Nederlandse versie van mijn gids over de Biennale van Venetië is nu ook beschikbaar. 😊

Ben je een kunstliefhebber en plan je een bezoek aan de 60e Biënnale? Mis dan “De insidergids voor de Art Biennale van Venetië 2024” niet.

Deze gids brengt een uniek perspectief op de Biennale en is een onmisbare bron, of het nu je eerste bezoek aan de Biennale is of je doorgewinterde bezoeker bent. In plaats van afstandelijke analyses te bieden, nodig ik je uit om je bij me aan te sluiten op een persoonlijke ontdekkingsreis langs inspirerende paviljoenen, uitzonderlijke locaties, indrukwekkende kunstwerken en sterke boodschappen.

🔗 Koop je exemplaar vandaag nog op https://amzn.eu/d/ctgalT5 ) en duik in de kunst en schoonheid van de Biennale! Gelieve enkel op de Nederlandse Amazon site te bestellen en niet op de Belgische. Deze laatste betaalt immers geen commissies aan auteurs zoals mezelf.

If you don't speak Dutch, there is also an English and an Italian version.

28/05/2024

Have you ever been inside the Ospedaletto in Castello? This former hospital built by Giuseppe Sardi and Baldassere Longhena is certainly worth a visit. It can now be visited during the ‘Nebula’ exhibition.

25/05/2024

📚 De Nederlandse versie van mijn gids over de Biennale van Venetië is nu ook beschikbaar. 😊

Ben je een kunstliefhebber en plan je een bezoek aan de 60e Biënnale? Mis dan “De insidergids voor de Art Biennale van Venetië 2024” niet.

Deze gids brengt een uniek perspectief op de Biennale en is een onmisbare bron, of het nu je eerste bezoek aan de Biennale is of je doorgewinterde bezoeker bent. In plaats van afstandelijke analyses te bieden, nodig ik je uit om je bij me aan te sluiten op een persoonlijke ontdekkingsreis langs inspirerende paviljoenen, uitzonderlijke locaties, indrukwekkende kunstwerken en sterke boodschappen.

🔗 Koop je exemplaar vandaag nog op https://amzn.eu/d/ctgalT5 ) en duik in de kunst en schoonheid van de Biennale! Gelieve enkel op de Nederlandse Amazon site te bestellen en niet op de Belgische. Deze laatste betaalt immers geen commissies aan auteurs zoals mezelf.

If you don't speak Dutch, there is also an English and an Italian version.

23/05/2024

I started reading a new book set in Venice, so I thought it might be a good idea to publish again a post with books on Venice.

Did you read anything recently which you liked and would like to recommend?

PS: I created a bookmark with the cover of my new book so that will from now on be my favorite bookmark 😉

18/05/2024

During my last trip to Venice, I visited Forte Marghera in Mestre but I have to admit it took me more than 20 years before I finally decided to give it a try. In my new post, I explain why you shouldn’t wait that long.

With its vast green spaces, it’s perfect for a leisurely walk, lounging on the grass with a good book, or simply unwinding. Plus, you can enjoy a drink or a meal in this serene setting, making it a great way to spend a couple of hours away from Venice’s hustle and bustle. In this post, I will share the history of the site, highlight what you can do and provide details on how to get there.

The large fortification and vast green areas make Forte Marghera the perfect place to escape the crowds of Venice.

14/05/2024

I am really happy to let you know that my book 'The insider guide to the Venice Art Biennale 2024' is now ready and available to order.

Whether you are visiting the Art Biennale for the first time or you are a frequent visitor, this comprehensive guide contains all the information you need. What really sets this guide apart is its intimacy and authenticity. Rather than offering detached analyses, I invite you to join me on a personal journey of discovery - a journey fueled by passion, curiosity and a deep love for art and Venice.

The book is available in paperback format on almost all Amazon sites: https://a.co/d/2cCydbB. If the link (doesn't direct you to the country site you like to order on, I suggest you search either on the title, on my full name (Katia Waegemans) or on the ISBN number (9789464988222). Feel free to contact me if you have a problem ordering in your country and we'll find a solution to get it to you.

If you live in Belgium, please order on the Dutch Amazon site and not the Belgian one. The latter is not an 'official' Amazon site and doesn't pay commissions to authors such as myself.

The e-book version in English will be online in the coming days. The Dutch and Italian versions will be available next week.

11/05/2024

Tomorrow, Venice celebrates the Festa della Sensa. This is one of the traditional events which includes a large procession of boats along the riva. Have you already attended it?

The Festa della Sensa is a traditional event, which symbolizes the marriage between Venice and the sea. It takes place on May 12, 2024.

05/05/2024

The Art Biennale with the theme 'Foreigners Everywhere – Stranieri Ovunque' is again overwhelming and has so many beautiful artworks to discover. There is a wide variety of contemporary art, including paintings, photography, multimedia, installations, sculptures and conceptual art. Out of the huge number of exhibitions, I selected 5 pavilions which really inspired me. The one of the Holy See in the women's prison is by far my number one for this year.

Are you planning to go this year or have you already been?

Out of the huge number of exhibitions at the Art Biennale 2024 in Venice, I selected 5 pavilions which really inspired me.

03/05/2024

Even though I have seen the landmarks of Venice so many times, I can’t resist taking pictures of them.

29/04/2024

The almost empty Giardini and the (finally) sunny weather are the perfect combination to sit outside on a bench and work on my book on the 2024 Art Biennale.

It will include an overview of the most inspiring pavilions, extraordinary locations, stunning artworks and powerful messages, as well as practical tips to prepare your visit.

You can subscribe to my newsletter on my site (link in bio) if you want to be the first to know when it’s available.