Venice isn’t the only city the Venetians built. Along the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Venice spread its influence for 500 years, leaving many towns in the area marked with the lion of St. Mark. These towns often look like a mini-Venice, with narrow alleys, red roofs, and bell towers. They’re on the sea and they are part of the sea, inseparable.
I recently spent time in two Venetian towns: Piran, on the coast of Slovenia, and Rovinj, on the coast in Croatia. They are only 80 kilometers apart, yet history has left them in different countries, and outside of Italy. I posted just last week about Piran. A story about Rovinj is coming, but for now the focus is on what makes these places so much fun to explore.
Venetian cities have great views of, and from, their waterfront. They have belltowers and other Tall Things to Climb for a panorama. Their public squares are masterful, full of life even while full of overpriced cafés. Still, much of the joy of these cities is the maze-like web of alleys running through them. You should spend time there.
Anyone who has visited Venice has gotten lost in the back alleys–it simply can’t be helped. This is a good thing, and something that should be done in any Venetian town.
When you’re lost, you might as well continue on, for it’s inevitable that you’ll run into something familiar or a direction sign or the water that will give you bearings. The other reason to keep walking is there is cool stuff back here. You’ll find a small market, a cheese shop, a seafood restaurant that looks amazing, or a better café than the one where you were just hanging.
You’ll also find some tourists taking photos, but much much less than in other parts of the town. Indeed, most Venetians towns are so touristy in their central areas that the back alleys are the only place one can get a true sense of them.
Waterfront table for one in Rovinj
Rovinj is well-known for having waterfront lounges and clubs. They are not cheap, but sitting by the water on the rocks having a drink (perhaps also on the rocks) is a worthy experience. The clubs will give you a drink and a seat pad, and you go find a rock upon which to perch. But you won’t find these places on the main streets.
Neither Piran nor Rovinj are known for their grand churches, except for the one showcase cathedral that each town has. Yet in towns such as these, the smaller unknowns places are often contain the most charm.
One never knows how a house will be decorated.
Space is always a premium in these towns, and thus cafés spill way over into the alleys.
One advice always given while traveling: Don’t walk down dark alleys.
And yet, those alleys often have quite brilliant things at the end of them. So check out the main squares, the tall things, the views, the waterfront, and the must-sees. Then go wander the alleys.
If you liked this photo essay, check out One Night in Bangkok, also done in black and white and covering the events of just a single evening.
Venetian towns look so dreamy. I have been to Venice but no others. I would also like to explore Piran and Rovinj some day. Your black and white photos make them look life fairytale villages from long ago.
Thank you Christina — brilliant comment.
This is a brilliant theme, so well executed too.
There is so much of mood in each of these. I hardly experiment with B&W, now I must.
What an absolutely stunning photo essay of Venetian streets! There’s something about monochrome…a surreal quality that highlights details so sharply. Love the play of light and shade in your pictures. Will follow your blog now.
Thanks so much! I find myself doing more and more B&W photography because of the effect. You’ll see more.
I have been to Venice and of course I have been lost in those alleys. I love your article but what I love most is the artwork. I am usually not a fan of B&W work at all but these are fantastic. That is a lot coming from me, I have never seen any that I liked as well as yours. The one I like best is teh last one of the garden and bikes through the archway.
wowo…thanks John so much. That’s about the highest praise I can get. Check out the photo essay on Bangkok as well if you liked this.
i love capturing streets, alleyways and staircases. i love the fact that you have kept them in black and white shades. It gives a whole new meaning to the photographs . Needless to say, your photos are amazing and i have learnt so much from them as to how i would compose my shots hereon.
My blog is still somewhat new, but I think I will put up more B&W photo essays from time to time, as I’m getting a good reaction. Thanks much for the comments.
We have visited Venice and have experienced getting lost in narrow alleys. Piran and Rovinj seems to be very calm place to visit. Beautiful pictures I liked waterfront table picture the most :).
You quite some interesting shots in the post! I really love the one with the small table right by the water. I had seen it before but never knew where it was from!
These pictures are absolutly amazing…great shots and I like the BW…it’s a nice change to all the colors usually jumping at you!
I loved randomly wandering through Venice, all those small streets and hidden places, but i have never been to the other islands…now I know what to do next time, hopefully before they sink underwater xDD
Gorgeous retelling through photographs. the Venetian alleys are sheer perfection in all areas of architecture, charm, mystery and sophistication. I love the black and white photos as they bring out the shabby chicness of the alleys and how they have endured the ages and the elements throughout history.
A wonderful photo essay and the black and white photos add a great atmosphere; some of the photos remind me of Naples, with all the back streets and washing hanging outside upstairs Windows.
What an amazing work with the pictures. The theme and the effects on black and white is fabulous. I would love to try it out. This place looks just like a dream. I would love to visit some day.
Amazing black and white shots, I also LOVE capturing streets, alleyways and staircases but only when I travel alone. With my man now, he gets impatient if I wander around!
Can’t wait to get my way there!
Thuymi @ http://www.AdventureFaktory.com
I love black and white photos and alleyways are always so curious. We have a lot of neat looking alleys here in Seattle too but I don’t really venture down them and maybe I should.
Beautiful images ! Love finding hidden charms just off the normal busy streets.Never heard of this two other places before. I like the idea of getting a drink and a seat pad to go sit on the rocks. I need that right about now.
Beautiful told and the black and white images really add to the mystique of the old city. Excellent artistic work!
Your photos are fantastic! I have visited Slovenia last year and even if I went with no expectations, I fell in love with the country! I wish I had enough time to go to Piran and Rovinj too, I have heard a lot of people saying how beautiful they are, and how much you fell like you are in Italy when you visit them.
i love black-and-white photographs (also black-and-white movies), they are classic and in my opinion gives more life and stories.
Black and White.. that’s where it’s at! Truly remarkable photography. Of course, your subjects did their part to look gorgeous as well! It always freaks me out a bit to see doors so close to water, but I guess they make it work!
These photos are absolutely amazingly captured. Those alleyways are really very charming. Quite a different side to Venetian towns. Also it was interesting to know a little bit of history about the two lovely cities.
That waterfront table for one seems so serene and unreal! Who would say these pictures are of back alleys that people dont even prefer going to and exploring. Loved the theme of the photo story 🙂
Those dark alleys give the feeling of Harry Potters Diagon Alley and your pictures are just breathtaking!
Oh yes! That waterfront table for one in Rovinj is waiting for an introvert like me! I think I found a perfect office for the next summer!
This is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you for discovering it to me.
By the way, it is very rare to see b&w travel photos in blogs and they look very different and definitely add a stronger mood.
This is brilliant and there is so much feels and theme into these photos! The waterfront is definitely one of my favorite to shot and I’m quite envious of your skills!