Gay Life in Venice from the Middle Ages to Present Days
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Gay Life in Venice from the Middle Ages to Present Days
Next available dates
Fri
19 Dec
Mon
12 Jan
Wed
14 Jan
Bestseller
Private tour
Instant confirmation
Free cancellation
Private tour
Customized route
Hotel pick up on request
Customized route
Hotel pick up on request
From
INR 27,456
Shared tour in a small group
Instant confirmation
Free cancellation
Shared tour in a small group
From
INR 6,839
Highlights
Hear about the stories about the cross-dressing in cat masks, exploring the places of cruising from middle ages through the later centuries up to the tolerant attitude of nowadays Venice.
Take a trip over the centuries through the gay history of Venice, which is as labyrinthine as the city’s convoluted system of canals. Travel back to Middle Ages, when the practice of sodomy was deemed a sin. Learn about the history of Rolandina, a transgender who was burned at stake, as several other men of all social statuses have being condemned for their same-sex relations in the following centuries. Visit the city as a European tourists did during their discovery trip "Grand Tour" in the 17th century and how Thomas Mann and Frederick Rolfe made Venice a place of homosexual imagery during Belle Epoque. Learn about the fascist attempt to “clean up” the city, while following the location of a music video by a gay-icon as Madonna and checking out how is gay life nowadays in the floating city.
Itinerary
Campo San Giacomo dell'Orio
10 minsAdmission Ticket FreeWe will pass by where used to live an italian poet, who came out in the early 70s and committed suicide some years ago. His works were some of the first Italian poetry to explore homosexualityFondamenta del Megio
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeWe will pay respect to was a Venetian historian living between 15th and 16th century. His most significant work is his "Diarii" (chronicles), intended to be an comprehensive a history of Venice, before another literate was officially appointed to do so. He was said he was kind, extremely kind but we will learn why it was not really a compliment.Chiesa Santa Maria Mater Domini
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeWe will visit a church whose arcades were placed under surveillance by public authorities to prevent sodomites from using it to cruise and meet in 1488.Ponte delle Tette
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeWe will walk in what was the red light district par excellence of Venice in 15th century. Back in those days under these shadowy porticos around this bridge neighbourhood prostitutes were encouraged by authorities to display their wares in order to prevent sodomy in town. In the same streets walked the "gnaghe", queers or men dressed as women covering their faces with cat masks and emitting the plaintive calls of cats in heat, making explicit proposals to passers-by.Chiesa di San Cassiano
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeWe will hear the story of Rolandina Roncaglia, the first trans person we know of in Italy. She was born as Rolandino, for seven years she lived as a woman in a house nearby. Beside selling eggs and the local market, she became a prostitute. Once discovered in 1355, she had a terrible death.Campo San Cassiano
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeIn this area there used to be a theatre that boasted the title of the first public opera house in the world. It was also in place of homosexual encounters as Giacomo Casanova even points out when he worked as a spy for the state inquisitors in the 18th centuryCalle dell Ogio
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeOn this short bank along Canal Grande a famous writer and pioneer of the British gay movement met, and not by chance, a beautiful 19 year old porter.Campo San Giacomo di Rialto
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeIn this campo a famous statue was used as a podium for proclamations and announcements, including bans relating to sodomy: an officer read the names of thoese sentenced to death standing on the block at the end of its staircase. The location in the immediate vicinity of the Rialto market, one of the most frequented by the population at the time, made it ideal for this kind of communication.Ruga dei Oresi
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeHere a "suspicious" pharmacy was located, used by sodomites for their meetings. Just getting close could be grounds for condemnation to death!Palazzo Ca' Zenobio
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreePalazzo Zenobio is considered to be one of the most significant examples of Venetian late Baroque design, both architecturally and in interior decor. Throughout the XVIII century the Palace became a venue for intense intellectual life. Since 1993, after a complete restoration, it now serves as a research centre for Armenian studies. Most importantly, it was the main indoor location of Madonna's "like a virgin" video hot in the 80's.Chiesa di San Sebastiano
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeOne of Venice’s leading art venues thanks to its magnificent cycle of paintings by Paolo Veronese, who is buried here. We will understand why San Sebastiano is considered the patron saint of the LGBT community worldwide.Campanile di San Marco
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeOutside the tallest bell tower in Venice, an iron cage called "cheba" dates back to the 15th century and in the 16th century. It was also used as to expose somodimite priests to them to the bad weather and taunts of the crowd below.Piazzetta San Marco
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeBetween these two columns the executions took place up to the middle of the 17th century, as Casanova also confirmedHarry's Bar
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeDespite the founder said it was just a rumours, we will check out a famous bar where gay travellers gathered up to the 70'sRiva degli Schiavoni
15 minsAdmission Ticket Freewe will visit a palace where a love story was staged between a venetian rower and a famous german writer.Calle del Dose da Ponte
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeIn this hotel a famous lesbian US painter used to live, collecting love affairs with men and women.Palazzo Dario
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeThis palace is famous for an unrelated series of unfortunate events that happened to some of its owners, many of them gay.Palazzo Mocenigo
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeIn this palace used to live a famous british poet, aknoledged not only for his poetry but also for a more or less important bisexual component in his very complex sentimental and sexual life.Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino di Castello
15 minsAdmission Ticket FreeIn ancient times the church had a no longer exisiting porch that a law of 1450 listed among the places of the night sodomites crusing.
What's included
INCLUDED
Tour Leader & Nature and Interpretive Guide
NOT INCLUDED
Gratuities
Customer reviews
Additional information
Must Know
Mobile or paper ticket accepted
Good To Know
Service animals allowed
Public transportation options are available nearby
Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
Suitable for all physical fitness levels
On certain dates, most travelers staying outside of Venice who are planning to visit for the day will be required to pay a €5 access fee. For further details (including exemptions) and to learn what days this fee is applicable, please visit: https://cda.ve.it
Location
Address
Campo S. Giacomo da l'Orio, 30135 Venezia VE, Italy
Provider
deTourist Venice Valerio Coppo
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