St Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace Explored by a Tiny Hippo

Posted on June 22, 2014 by Rin

Join me as I burrow about Doge’s Palace and the Basilica San Marco.

These ancient fellows like to keep secrets.

When visiting the Basilica San Marco be sure to visit the balcony for great photos.

I was trying to master the art of the “selfie” while I was in Venice, did I do it right?

Tiny Hippo in Fornt of the Porta della Carta

Here I am in front of the 15th century entrance of Doge’s Palace.

This is the Giants’ Staircase, unsurprisingly, there is a swing just for Tiny Hippos stung across the stairs.

Mars and Neptune of the Giants' Staircase

The backsides of Neptune and Mars looking over the Giants’ Staircase, they have no shame!

The courtyard between the basilica and the palace was lovely in the afternoon light.

Hope you enjoyed my quick exploration of these treasures of Venice, until next time, toodle-pip!

Tiny Hippo and Leonardo da Vinci

Posted on April 28, 2014 by Rin

There is a great Leonarado da Vinci exhibition happening in Venice, the best part is that you get to play with all of the machines!

The da Vinci exhibition is being held in a church in Venice.

This device shows how ball barrings can be used to move Tiny Hippos around with great ease.

This auto-locking wheel must have been used to lift very heavy cakes.

Leonard da Vinci must have used this machine to crack open nuts when he was feeling peckish.

I am afraid he may have made this flying machine a bit too small for Tiny Hippos to use.

This glider looks more suited to my kind, I knew old da Vinci wouldn’t let me down!

I just don’t know about this one, the sign says it is a dredger, but it looks more like a cranberry thief.

After all the excitement of touring so many da Vinci creations I need to unwind for a bit. See you next time!

Church of San Zaccaria as Seen by a Small White Terrier

Posted on March 3, 2014 by Rin

This is the church of San Zaccaria, the facade uses a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles, circa 1400s.

And this, is my dearest yellow ball, Spiky, circa 2013.

My magnificent home is next to San Zaccaria, all the other dogs and doges are jealous.

My human is a champion thrower of spiky balls.

Without fail, I gallantly retrieve Spiky.

Spiky and I spend each afternoon in front of my church playing fetch with my human.

Cat watches our ritual from the window with great interest.

I have my awesome San Zaccaria and my stoic ball, Spiky, what more could any doge want?

Bikes of Ferrara, Italy

Posted on February 27, 2014 by Rin

Piazza della Cattedrale is located in the heart of Ferrara, and everywhere you look there are bikes.

In each alcove and portico there were bikes all in rows ready to go.

Bike Outside Hotel de Prati, Ferrara Italy

While the natural preferences of bikes was to stay together in herds, there were loners who were happy sought quiet walls to rest against, like this bike outside our excellent hotel.

Some of the bikes were very dapper.

Others were more rough and ragged.

Most of the bicycles were adorned with baskets, everyone needs a good accessory, right?

This lucky cat bike was tucked away in a secluded courtyard, it was very shy.

Cats were not the only things to embellish the bikes of Ferrara, This fashionable dog was at home in his very own, blanky lined basket.

Palazzo dei Diamanti with Biker, Ferrara, Italy

Castle Estense (Castello Estense)

Posted on February 23, 2014 by Rin

The construction of Castle Estense in Ferrara, Italy was ordered by the Marquis Niccolò II d’Este in 1385 after a dangerous riot proved that the Marquis’ family was not safe in times of civil unrest, the architect employed was Bartolino da Novara.

Castello Estense at night, Ferrara, Italy

Castle Estense at night

The exterior that we see today was completed in the 1500 hundreds

Castello Estense from Piazza Castello, Ferrara, Italy

Here is a view of the castle from Piazza Castello.

Drawbridge of Castle Estense, Ferrara Italy

The castle can be accessed by three drawbridges.

Courtyard of Castle Estense, Ferrara, Italy

This is the courtyard of the castle. The two wells provided water in times of drought and the round stones at the far end of the courtyard were used as catapult ammunition.

Passage to Dungeons in Castle Estense, Ferrara, Italy

A passage in the dungeons that leads to prison cells.

Prison Cell Door in Castle Estense, Ferrara, Italy

Each cell was secured with three doors, note the small door for passing things in and out of the room.

Cell of don Giulio d'Este, Ferrara, Italy

The castle’s dungeons were not meant for ordinary prisoners but for high-ranking individuals who required strict supervision, such as don Giulio who conspired against the Duke in 1506 and was held in this cell for 53 years. He was released when he was 81 and energetically walked through the streets of Ferrara adorned in his clothing that was over half a century old.

Here is the prison cell of Ugo, the son of the Marquis who had a love affair with his stepmother, they were both executed in 1425. In the left corner of the cell is the privy.

On the ceiling of Ugo’s cell you can see prisoners’ messages written with candle smoke.

We had a great time exploring this castle. Definitely take a tour of Castle Estense if you are in Ferrara. To see more photos of our trip to Ferrara select Italy from the category drop down at the top right of the page.