by In Trieste
Venice landmarks reopen as the city of Venice slowly comes back to life after an almost three month closure due to lockdown.
Venice’s top landmark, St Mark’s Basilica, reopened to the public on 1 June, following a closure of more than three months due to the coronavirus pandemic. However visitor numbers are being restricted, with only 150 people allowed to enter every hour, reports Italian news agency ANSA.
Another nearby tourist attraction reopened in May: Caffè Florian, the oldest coffee house in the world. The bar, which celebrates its 300 anniversary later this year, will open initially from Thursday to Sunday in June, before opening every day except Wednesday during July, reports Forbes. Over the last three centuries, the bar has welcomed countless cultural figures from Lord Byron to Ernest Hemingway.
Another cultural landmark, the Libreria Acqua Alta – considered by many as the world’s most beautiful bookshop – has also reopened for business. Visitors are requested to queue up outside to maintain the necessary interpersonal space of at least one meter.
Venice’s La Fenice opera house will also reopen on in June.
As Venice prepares for a gradual return to tourism, it is currently possible to visit a quieter than usual lagoon city, an unthinkable prospect in any other summer.
