By BILL WAGNER
Scripps Howard News Service VENICE - The barbarians, who descended upon Europe after the fall of the Roman Empire, aren't among the good guys when it comes to the historical record. However, they do deserve some thanks for helping create one of the world's greatest cities.
For years, those who inhabited the mainland, along the shores of the Adriatic Sea, periodically fled into the saltwater lagoon, seeking a safe haven from invaders.
Eventually those people got tired of the routine and decided to settle on the many islands in the lagoon.
From these humble beginnings around 450 A.D., the city we know as Venice was born.
Venice, the island city famous for its gondolas, is unique. Crossing the street is a breeze. There are no cars. The only way to get around the mass of small islands is by bridge, water taxi, gondola and other water transportation.
While thousands come to work daily, tourists descend in droves on the magical city each day.
If you're coming via land, then Piazzale Roma will be the starting point. The long Ponte della Liberta ("Bridge of Liberty") connects both railroad and auto traffic from the mainland. Technically, Piazzale Roma is not part of Venice, because you still have to cross a bridge or take a water taxi to access the city.
A minor point to some, but a matter of great importance to Venetians, since there are many squares in Venice, but there is only one Piazza -- Piazza San Marco.
Getting around is easy once you get the knack of things. Many tourists simply pick up a map and navigate on their own. If you're going into Venice for any length of time, you can pick up an ACTV pass that allows you multiple rides within a specified time period on buses and water taxis. There's an information booth in Piazzale Roma. But pick your agent well. Personality and helpfulness weren't exactly the order of the day when my wife and I visited a few windows looking for help earlier this year.
If you enjoy taking a tour to soak up the experience, there are plenty of companies offering a wide variety of tours.
Gondola rides aren't cheap, so if your heart is set on a gondola ride, just pay and then enjoy the scenery.
While there are hundreds of small bridges that connect one island to another, there are only a few bridges that span the Grand Canal.
Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge) is the most famous. It was finished in 1591. Like the Ponte Vecchio in Florence, the Venice bridge is lined with shops catering to tourists. The bridge has three walkways -- two along the outside and a wider one down the middle between two rows of small shops. (Take note: The bridge is mostly steps and definitely not wheelchair- or stroller-friendly.)
The spiritual center is Piazza San Marco (St. Mark's Square). The basilica of St. Mark is a wonder to behold, with gilded mosaics covering the walls and ceilings. It is hard to imagine such intricate work being done in the 13th century.
Information on Venice is easy to come by. Just Google "Venice tourist info." Sites such as http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/ are loaded with information. Once you get to Venice, you can pick up a guide containing historical info, explanations about the buildings and a map or maps of the city.
(Bill Wagner, as Babe Waxpak, also writes the ASKBABE sports-collectibles column for Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com.)
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
