The Hanging Washing of Venice

An unexpected pleasure of exploring Venice, was seeing the colourful washing hanging out to dry, everywhere we went - from Cannaregio in the north, by the Grand Canal, near St. Marks and the Rialto, towards the eastern area of Castello or in the south at Giudecca.

It was hung up high, over canals, stretching across the water or similarly high between flats on a housing estate, or along narrow alleyways. There was something very attractive, very appealing about these sightings. The washing lines were frequently firmly anchored from balconies, and then kept taut so that the washing only dipped slightly. There seemed to be a pulley system of sorts, to enable the washer to put both the washing out and in, although it wasn't clear (to me anyway) whether all the washing had to be loaded/unloaded at the same time, or added/removed in stages. Individual householders washing looked good, but when combined with other households in rows at different levels, it was particularly impressive.

Notice 'The Third Man' on the bottom left small photo!

If it struck you that it might be a bit intrusive, to photograph people's washing, I can assure you that there was hardly a soul around. It was purely the art and beauty of it, no fetish involved either - honest!