Walking Through Venice, Surrounded by Faith

Venice is often celebrated for its canals, gondolas, and timeless romance, but while gondolas can get a bit too much of the overall attention, the thing that struck me the most during my visit was something far deeper entitled "faith".

Even if I sort of had a list of what to visit during my trip to Venice, at every step, I was surrounded by religious icons, grand churches, and sculptures that seemed to whisper stories of devotion, history, and spirituality. Each sacred place had its own presence, distinct from the others, yet all carried an undeniable sense of peace. The experience was not just visual but deeply emotional, a journey through time where faith has remained steadfast despite the everchanging tides of history and where I even managed to visit some of these on the inside too.

Walking through Venice though, I couldn’t help but feel that faith is woven into the very fabric of the city. Whether standing before the majestic St. Mark’s Basilica or discovering a small, tucked away chapel, I felt a profound connection to the past and to something greater than myself.

Italy in general is well known for its faith and culture dedicated to religion, but Venice's religious landmarks are not just places of worship as they are living testimonies of devotion that have stood against the test of time. Every bridge, every alley, and every square seemed to lead me to another piece of spiritual heritage, reinforcing the feeling that faith is truly present at every step.

Despite seeing various churches in Venice, I couldn't find two looking the same. Each one, despite the overarching influence of Byzantine, Gothic, or Renaissance architecture, holds a unique element that sets it apart. Some impress with their golden mosaics, others with their quiet simplicity. While St. Mark’s Basilica stuns with its shimmering domes and intricate gold details, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore offers an entirely different kind of beauty which consists of symmetry and serenity overlooking the lagoon. And these are way too few examples of what your eyes are blessed to see in one day of walking around Venice.

Each visit brought a new feeling, a new reflection. Some churches filled me with awe, others with a sense of calm. It was fascinating to see how faith could be expressed in such varied architectural and artistic forms, yet still resonate with the same deep spiritual energy.

Romania, the country I was born in, is also known for quite a faithful population. However, this can be felt in the voice of those you are speaking with, or when you make it inside a church.

But when it comes to Venice, this is not just a city of churches but a city of religious art. Every street, every bridge, every hidden corner seems to hold a sculpture of a saint, a Madonna, or a cross. Faith is not contained within the walls of churches but it spills onto the streets, onto the facades of buildings, onto the very stones beneath your feet. Walking through the city, I often looked up to see statues of angels perched above doorways, mosaics depicting biblical scenes above archways, and frescoes painted into unexpected nooks. And these sculptures are not even limited to church only. I easily found them on museums, hotels, or random buildings here and there.

Even if it's been a while since I visited Venice, this city left me with an unexpected feeling... a deep appreciation for the way faith endures, and how it is preserved not just in grand cathedrals but in everyday details. Walking through this city felt like walking through centuries of belief, artistry, and devotion. Even long after leaving, the presence of faith in Venice lingers in my mind. It is in the gentle glow of votive candles, in the solemn expressions of painted saints, in the hushed prayers whispered beneath frescoed domes. And all of these, conclude into an experience that I couldn't find in any other place visited so far, whether it's been in my country or abroad.