Gothic cathedrals were pushed high into the skies in search of a symbolic encounter with God. Modern skyscrapers are set as challenges to each other as they rise floor by floor determining skylines that are ever more spectacular and majestic. In times of yore, Venice, the Serenissima, an urge to point skywards was intended literally to demonstrate the desire to “touch the sky with you finger-tips”, and thus seek a sensation of entire happiness and beauty. Venice is magical from each and every point of view: seen from its canals or strolling through its little streets – its famed calli – yet it’s a dream that turns into reality when you can enjoy it from its terraces and its roof tops.
A terrace: a place within our very hearts
If we consult a dictionary or an encyclopaedia in order to understand what is meant by the term “terrace” we would doubtless find words that were similar to those offered by the Italian Treccani encyclopaedia, that a terrace is the “open, uncovered floor of a building, easily accessible, enclosed (entirely or in part) by its perimeter or, even, “in particular, by the upper floors of a building”. However, were we to ask a Venetian what they intended by a terrace they would be bound to choose words that would be more romantically inclined towards a notion of a very special place within their hearts. In this city sprung from a lagoon, where outside areas are rare and highly precious, and even more so if they allow us to glimpse the horizon, terraces indeed represent very special places.
A roof top: an architectural feature hailing from the Renaissance
And roof tops, of course, are even more special. A roof top is a most particular architectural feature, a sort of raised terrace much like a turret overlooking the roofs of the city. Unlike a balcony, a roof top doesn’t lean away from the building since it rises up – and not out - towards the sky, resting, as it does, upon the roof. Its origin goes way back to the Renaissance period, yet it was in the age of Baroque that it became more common as an architectural element within a building. It was especially widespread in central Italy and in Rome, where it took on the form of a loggia and became highly distinctive in terms of elegance as well as dimension. Roof tops are unique features in the city of Venice, too, where they look out onto extraordinary vistas of the lagoon and have become much sought-after outside areas of Venetian residences. They function as a means of opening houses towards the outside, to enjoy the coolness of the city and to give us the opportunity to gaze out towards the horizon (or, prosaically, to provide us with somewhere we can hang out our washing to dry).
Venetian curiosities
Browsing through the pages of Curiosità veneziane by Giuseppe Tassini, an old book written in 1863 (over 800 pages long) and published today by Filippi Editore Venezia, another curious activity was described. Roof tops were also used as places to undertake “dyeing”, not of precious cloth, but of women’s hair where it was transformed into the famed “Venetian blonde”. In the book it was claimed that “our women, since time immemorial, would dye their own hair in this particular colour by themselves. And it was this unique blonde hue that many women chose for the colour of their hair. When the sun became hotter, they went up to their roof tops and they wetted their heads with a cloth immersed in this blonde water, also known as the ‘water of youth’”. Giuseppe Tassini’s account continued with further details, yet these first few lines are enough to transmit to us today the importance that outside areas have always had in Venice.
Roof tops and terraces: the luxury of having the sky at your finger-tips
In the heart of the area around Saint Mark’s, our roof top is lucky to have the opportunity to “look at the campanile – the bell-tower – of Saint Mark’s in the face” along with the domes atop the basilica itself. Whilst the outside might let us enjoy the sensation of being embraced by both sky and city, the interiors of this prestigious apartment currently for sale enclose us within a more intimate and warmer embrace amongst bookshelves, antique furniture, exposed beams and wooden floors.
On the other hand, our next property offers an open invitation to an atmosphere both of conviviality and intimacy. It is currently on the market near the famous La Fenice theatre and is a large apartment with a terrace and a lift. The building is inside Palazzo Marcello, in the area of Saint Mark’s. As if both the position as well as the beauty of the apartment’s interiors weren’t enough, what makes it even more special is the terrace, completely furnished and full of plants where highly enjoyable moments can be spent with friends and family. Two drawing rooms, a sumptuous dining room and a unique private chapel make this an extraordinary property.
If you love outside space, you’ll love the three-floor house for sale in Cannaregio, with a view of the beautiful Saints John and Paul basilica. Apart from containing an inside courtyard on the mezzanine floor, on the second floor there’s a large outside area which may be furnished in the summer months (but not only) as a living room, where you’ll enjoy a beautiful open view of the surrounding neighbourhood. The area, which is considerably large, might also be used as somewhere you can organise little parties or events – success immediately assured!
The view goes on forever when you look out from the terraces of the loft for sale on the island of Giudecca. This incredibly bright loft, designed by the international architect, Michael Carapetian, is on the island of Giudecca, a short walk away from contemporary art galleries, from the famous Harry's Dolci and the magnificent Hilton Molino Stucky Hotel (which, in terms of terraces, is equally renowned). This loft, however, need not worry since it possesses not just one but two terraces. Five bathrooms, three bedrooms, a modern kitchen with all the necessary accessories, a music room and a bar make up this dream loft, perfect for anyone searching for the opportunity to experience their own home to the maximum.
Our apartment with two terraces in Saint Mark’s is also just as sun-kissed. Here, too, for those of you seeking open spaces and the opportunity to admire the city from up high you will be immediately captivated. It’s only a brief walk from St Mark’s square and this duplex has two (!) terraces: one perfect for dining with a view of the campanile bell tower and the domes of the basilica (as well as the canals surrounding the apartment) and the other, on the sixth floor, with a romantic view over the skyline of the city – awarding you, it has to be said, the opportunity to touch the sky with your finger-tips.
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