大运河，威尼斯，意大利 Grand Canal in Venice, Italy (© Juan Romero/Cavan Images)

水上通衢 The road that runs on water

威尼斯大运河，意大利

如果一座城市最繁忙的街道根本没有路，会是什么样？在意大利威尼斯，交通沿着大运河往来。这条长2.4英里的水道以巨大的反S形蜿蜒穿过城市。当地人称它为“大运河”，它是威尼斯主要的水上交通通道，水上巴士、水上出租车、贡多拉、警用艇和其他船只都在此穿行。大运河沿着一条古河道延伸，这条河过去曾流入威尼斯潟湖。

大运河两岸分布着近170座历史建筑，其中许多由富裕的威尼斯家族在13至18世纪建造。宫殿和住宅直接从水边拔地而起，使大运河沿岸几乎没有空间修建传统人行道。

尽管大运河十分重要，横跨其上的桥梁却只有四座：里亚托桥、赤足桥、宪法桥和学院桥。几个世纪以来，乘船一直是横渡大运河的主要方式。如今，沿河而行，可以在流动的视野中欣赏威尼斯的建筑与历史。在这里，就连堵船时也有美景相伴——还有贡多拉船夫。

Grand Canal in Venice, Italy

What if a city's busiest street had no road? In Venice, Italy, traffic flows along the Grand Canal, a 2.4-mile waterway that winds through the city in a giant reverse S-shape. Known to locals as the Canalazzo, it is Venice's main water-traffic corridor, carrying vaporetti, water taxis, gondolas, police boats, and other vessels. The canal follows the course of an ancient river that once flowed into the Venetian Lagoon.

Nearly 170 historic buildings line its banks, many built by wealthy Venetian families between the 13th and 18th centuries. With palaces and houses rising directly from the water, the Grand Canal has little room for conventional sidewalks.

Despite its importance, only four bridges cross it: Rialto, Scalzi, Constitution, and Accademia. For centuries, boats were the main way to cross. Today, a journey along the canal offers a moving look at Venice's architecture and history. Here, even a traffic jam comes with a view—and a gondolier.

威尼斯鸟瞰图, 意大利 Aerial view of Venice, Italy (© Clement Leonard/Getty Images)

威尼斯的灵魂 The soul of Venice

威尼斯鸟瞰图，意大利

从高空俯瞰威尼斯，宛如一幅迷人的水上画卷，但这座意大利瑰宝真正的魅力，藏在古老墙垣与曲折水巷之间。公元5世纪，它在潟湖中的一簇岛屿上诞生，由沼泽蜕变为海上霸主。中世纪时期，威尼斯成为连接欧洲与东方的重要贸易枢纽，财富与文化在此交织。如今，哥特式宫殿、文艺复兴艺术，以及圣马可大教堂、公爵宫、里亚托桥等地标，仍在诉说这座城市的辉煌历史。

威尼斯的魅力，不仅在于桥梁与运河，更在于那些才华横溢的灵魂。《马可·波罗游记》讲述了这位探险家的奇幻旅程，维瓦尔第在这里谱写出《四季》的乐章。威尼斯更是文学与艺术的灵感源泉：托马斯·曼的《威尼斯之死》、莎士比亚的《威尼斯商人》和《奥赛罗》，以及亨利·詹姆斯的《阿斯彭文稿》，都在这座城市的光影中诞生。

如今的威尼斯，在历史魅力与现代挑战之间保持微妙的平衡：既要守护脆弱的古迹，又要应对汹涌的游客潮。贡多拉依旧在百年老墙的倒影中轻轻滑过，而狂欢节等传统节庆，则让这座城市的古老风情延续至今。

Aerial view of Venice, Italy

Seeing Venice from above is mesmerizing, but this Italian gem's true magic lies within its walls and waterways. Founded in the 5th century on a cluster of islands in the Venetian Lagoon, the early settlement rose from marshland to become a maritime powerhouse. By the Middle Ages, it had evolved into a major hub for trade between Europe and the East, fueling immense wealth and cultural growth. The city's grandeur shines through its Gothic palaces, Renaissance art, and landmarks such as St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Rialto Bridge.

Venice is celebrated not only for its iconic architecture and interwoven canals but also for the brilliant minds who shaped its legacy. 'The Travels of Marco Polo' chronicles the adventures of the Venetian merchant and explorer, and Antonio Vivaldi—composer of 'The Four Seasons'—was also born here. The city has inspired timeless works, including Thomas Mann's 'Death in Venice,' Shakespeare's 'The Merchant of Venice' and 'Othello,' and Henry James's novella 'The Aspern Papers.'

Today, Venice balances historic charm with modern challenges—from preserving fragile architecture to managing tourism. Gondolas glide past centuries-old facades, while festivals like Carnevale keep traditions alive.

圣马可钟楼，威尼斯，意大利 St. Mark's Clock Tower, Venice, Italy (© scaliger/Getty Images)

时间的步伐 The March of time

夏令时开始

又到了一年中的这个时刻，时钟拨快一小时，虽然少睡了一小时，但换来了更长的傍晚时光。今年的夏令时从今天凌晨2点正式开始，亚利桑那州和夏威夷州除外，这再次提醒我们，时间从不会等待任何人。夏令时的理念很简单：最大化利用自然光，减少能源消耗。这一概念最早在 18 世纪由本杰明·富兰克林提出，尽管他当时 “节省蜡烛”的建议更像是一种讽刺，而非严肃提议。时间快进到 20 世纪初，许多国家在战争期间采用夏令时以节省燃料。美国于 1966 年颁布了《统一时间法案》，正式将夏时令标准化。如今，全球约70个国家实行夏令时，通常从3月持续到11月，让人们享受长达八个月的漫长夜晚。

今日图片中的圣马可钟楼位于意大利威尼斯，已有500 多年的历史。这座文艺复兴时期的杰作不仅显示时间，还追踪月亮、太阳和黄道十二宫的运行。钟楼顶部矗立着威尼斯的标志，一只带翼的圣马可飞狮，以及两个青铜摩尔人，他们以精准的节奏敲响钟声，仿佛在演绎一场精心编排的戏剧。

Daylight saving time begins

It's the time of year again when clocks spring forward, stealing an hour of sleep but giving us longer evenings to enjoy. Daylight saving time (DST) starts today at 2 AM, except in Arizona and Hawaii, reminding us that time, quite literally, waits for no one. The idea is simple: maximizing daylight and reducing energy consumption by syncing our activities with the natural light cycle. This concept was popularized by Benjamin Franklin in the 18th century, though his suggestion to 'save candles' was more satirical than a serious proposal. Fast-forward to the early 20th century, when many countries adopted DST to conserve fuel during wartime. The US officially standardized it in 1966 with the Uniform Time Act. Today, DST runs from March to November in around 70 countries, giving eight months of extended evening light.

The clock in today's image—St. Mark's Clock Tower—is in Venice, Italy, where it has been keeping time for over 500 years. This Renaissance masterpiece tracks the moon, the sun, and the zodiac. Towering above is the city's iconic winged lion and two bronze Moors who strike the bell with theatrical precision.

大运河和安康圣母教堂的鸟瞰图，威尼斯，意大利 Aerial view of the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy (© Bachir Moukarzel/Amazing Aerial Agency)

在漂浮的城市之上 Above the floating city

安康圣母教堂，威尼斯，意大利

威尼斯的安康圣母教堂历史悠久，是巴洛克建筑风格的典范。这座教堂建于1631年至1687年，是为了纪念1630年威尼斯从一场毁灭性瘟疫中解脱出来。教堂建在大运河的入口处，其圆顶在威尼斯的天际线上占据着主导地位，正如今天的图片所示。意大利建筑师巴尔达萨雷·隆盖纳在26岁时就构思了这座建筑，它成为了隆盖纳毕生的事业，并在他去世后完工。教堂外部的涡卷状装饰和雕像与宽敞的八角形内部形成鲜明对比，内部装饰着文艺复兴时期艺术家提香和丁托列托的作品。每年11月，威尼斯都会在圣母节期间纪念这座教堂的重要意义，这是一场文化庆祝活动，内容包括节日游行和献蜡烛等，以感谢圣母将人类从瘟疫中解救出来。

Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy

The Santa Maria della Salute church in Venice is steeped in history. As a plague devastated the city in 1630, its leader, Doge Nicolò Contarini, vowed to build a majestic church dedicated to the Virgin Mary if the city was spared. In 1631 the epidemic ended, and construction began. The church, built in the Baroque style, was completed around 50 years later, a lifelong project for architect Baldassare Longhena.

Built at the entrance to the Grand Canal, its dome dominates the Venice skyline. Each November, Venice commemorates the church's significance during the Festa della Madonna della Salute, a cultural celebration that includes festive processions and offering of candles in gratitude for deliverance from the plague.

大运河与安康圣母大教堂，威尼斯，意大利 Grand Canal with Santa Maria della Salute Basilica, Venice, Italy (© Rudy Balasko/Getty Images)

伪装的日子 Days of disguises

威尼斯狂欢节

戴上精美的面具，穿上华丽的服饰，隐入威尼斯狂欢节的无边人群去狂欢吧！这是一个拥有数百年历史的节日，充满了神秘和美丽。这个一年一度的冬季庆典将狂欢与匿名结合在一起，这要归功于面具，而且这些面具通常会遵循特定的人物原型。在节日期间，成千上万的人身着仿17世纪威尼斯传统服饰的精美华服走上街头。狂欢节期间，游行派对活动层出不穷，还有音乐会和街头表演，这些活动一直持续到今年2月13日的“忏悔星期二”。在街上狂欢时，你可能会路过圣玛丽亚德拉安康教堂，在今天图片展示的远处可以看到，这是一座巴洛克式的大教堂，供奉的是圣母玛利亚——威尼斯共和国的保护神。

Carnival of Venice

Don your tricorn hat and gilded disguise, it's time to visit the Carnival of Venice. This centuries-old festival combines revelry with anonymity, thanks to the masks traditionally worn by attendees, from the classic square-jawed Bauta mask to the Colombina eye mask, with roots in Italian theater. Costumed rowers take part in a parade of traditional boats on Venice's famous Grand Canal while thousands of people wearing elaborate costumes enjoy the carnival atmosphere. Parades, parties, concerts, and performances will fill the streets until festivities end on Shrove Tuesday, which falls on February 13 this year. Visitors might pass by the Santa Maria della Salute, seen toward the back of today's image, a baroque basilica dedicated to the Virgin Mary, who is considered to be the protector of the city.

意大利威尼斯的叹息桥 Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy (© Doug Pearson/Alamy)

一个吻和一声叹息 A kiss and a sigh

意大利威尼斯叹息桥

在威尼斯的叹息桥（Ponte dei Sospiri）下，当你的船夫引导你穿过城市的运河时，是亲吻你心爱的人的好去处。但这个名字所指的叹息并不是因为你凝视着你亲爱的眼睛。这座封闭的桥于1600年完工，将新监狱（Prigioni Nuove）与总督府的审讯室连接起来，据说囚犯最后一次看到美丽的威尼斯是在这座桥上。这足以让人叹息。

Bridge of Sighs in Venice, Italy

Beneath Venice's Ponte dei Sospiri (Bridge of Sighs), is a popular place to kiss your beloved as your gondolier guides you through the city's canals. But the sighs that the name refers to aren't from staring into your darling's eyes. The enclosed bridge, completed in 1600, connects the Prigioni Nuove (New Prison) to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace, and it is said that a prisoner's last look at beautiful Venice would be on that bridge. And that's reason enough to sigh indeed.

在大运河上举办的赛船节， 意大利威尼斯 The Regata Storica on the Grand Canal in Venice, Italy (© Alexander Duffner/Alamy)

Venice's grand regatta

Every year, on the first Sunday of September, Venice celebrates the Regata Storica along the city's most famous canal. The event is the highlight of the Venetian rowing calendar and consists of two parts: a historical boat parade and a series of rowing races. Festivities begin with a regal water pageant comprising a flotilla of colorful boats from the 16th century. Gondoliers are dressed in period costume as they ferry the Doge, his wife, and other high-ranking Venetian officials up the Grand Canal in a faithful recreation of Venice's storied maritime past. The regatta commemorates the welcome given in 1489 to Caterina Cornaro, the wife of the King of Cyprus, who renounced her throne in favor of Venice.

After the parade, it's time for the racing. Competitions are divided by age categories and feature different types of historical boats. The last and most popular race is the gondolini regatta. A lighter and faster version of the gondola from which it takes its shape, the gondolino is rowed by two oarsmen—standing as per Venetian tradition—who power their way up the Grand Canal toward the finish line at the famous 'machina,' the spectacular floating stage in front of the Ca' Foscari palace on the city's waterfront.

威尼斯大帆船赛

每年9月的第一个星期日，威尼斯都会沿着城市最著名的运河庆祝皇家历史。这项活动是威尼斯赛艇日历上的亮点，由两部分组成：历史性的划船游行和一系列赛艇比赛。庆祝活动以一个由16世纪的彩色船只组成的舰队组成的皇家水上盛会开始。吊船工人们穿着古装，将多格、他的妻子和其他威尼斯高级官员渡上大运河，忠实地再现威尼斯传奇的海上历史。这次帆船赛是为了纪念1489年塞浦路斯国王的妻子卡特琳娜·科纳罗（Caterina Cornaro）受到的欢迎，她放弃了王位，取而代之的是威尼斯。

游行结束后，是比赛的时间了。比赛按年龄分类，以不同类型的历史船只为特色。最后也是最受欢迎的比赛是贡多里尼赛船会。这是一种更轻、速度更快的平底船，由两名按照威尼斯传统站立的划手划船，他们沿着大运河向著名的“机器”（machina）终点前进，这是一个壮观的浮动舞台，位于城市海滨的卡福斯卡里宫（Ca’Foscari palace）前。

大运河和安康圣母圣殿，意大利威尼斯 The Grand Canal and Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute in Venice, Italy (© Jim Richardson/Offset by Shutterstock)

Venice by night

In Venice, Italy, the third Sunday in July is known as 'Festa del Redentore' (The Redeemer's Feast), which commemorates the city's salvation from the plague in the 16th century. As Italy still reels from being hard hit by the new coronavirus, the holiday is particularly poignant this year. It traditionally features a fireworks display, a regatta, and a temporary bridge that connects the Zattere promenade to the Church of the Redeemer on the Island of Giudecca. While this year's celebration will look different due to COVID-19, it will still be an important and festive day for Venetians.

'El Problema del Caballo' by Claudia Fontes in Venice, Italy © Marco Secchi/Getty Images

The artists come to Venice

Our photo today shows a small part of artist Claudia Fontes’ sculpture called ‘The Horse Problem.’ The Argentinian artist exhibited the large installation work—with smashed bits of stone surrounding the larger-than-life white horse, as if it has crashed into the exhibition space. The installation was shown at the Venice Biennale in 2017, where artists from around the globe bring their work to show off at this every-other-year arts and culture festival in the Italian city of Venice. The Biennale is just starting up again this month, and many of the programs and exhibits will be going on through the summer and into fall.

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