Photo: San Giorgio Maggiore Island Venice

The Island of San Giorgio Maggiore with Venetian Gondolas in the foreground, in Venice, Italy.

The Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Italy is just across from the Piazza San Marco. Nowadays the island is considered a cultural centre - it boasts an ancient library, a theatre for musical and dance productions and recitals, a 16th century church and a Benedictine monastery.

During Napoleon's time the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore was plundered and some of the treasures were damaged. Later the Austrians left sheds and huts all over the island. The Giorgio Cini Foundation now maintains the island and has restored and rebuilt the damaged artifacts.

When visiting Venice in Italy tourists probably will want to take a ride in a famous Venetian Gondola along the Grand Canal as far as the San Giorgio Island. To hire a Gondola in Venice is quite expensive, although there is usually room for up to six passengers. ... continue below the picture...

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To buy a traditional wooden Gondola the Gondolier will have to spend at least 20,000 Euros - however, with care it should have a working life of about 20 years. The first record of Gondolas on the Grand Canal dates back to the 11th century, but today's style was developed in the 19th century.

Gondolas on the Grand Canal opposite the Island of San Giorgio Maggiore in Venice, Veneto, Italy, Europe.