For Good Luck
You should have no problem finding this attractive bridge. It you enlarge the image you will be able to read the nizioletto on the wall. You will also be able to see more easily the pair of hooks hanging near the corner. Venetians touch the hooks as they walk by for good luck - obviously, not all Venetians, but some Venetians do. That's not just something I've read in a book, I've actually seen a couple of people touch them in the very short time I was standing nearby.
What are, or were, the hooks for? One of the streets nearby is called Calle del Traghetto, and I've read that there used to be a ferry (traghetto) from near here to Murano. Many years ago, people used to ride horses (or mules) in Venice, before all the humpback bridges were built. If they were taking the ferry, they would need to tie the reins of their mounts to something, so that they would be there when they got back. That's what the hooks were for. I cannot say whether it's true, but that's what I've read.
I have no idea why it might be considered good luck to touch them - perhaps one of you can help me out.
posted by Bert at 11:49 PM
12 Comments:
We think it's at a bridge over the Rio di Santi Apostoli; and that the sign is for the Ponte san Canzian, and the Calle de la Malvasia - we think we've got ourselves "a bit mislaid" in that area a few times over the years.
- Mind you, we did have to resort to your old friend "Venice Connected" to check it out!
No idea about the hooks, though. Thanks for keeping these (lifeline) pictures coming.
Lovely bridge. Curious about those hooks. Funny how little traditions get started and take on a life of their own!
So hooks like that must have been common all over town, if the explanation is accurate. Do they exist elsewhere?
Hi Bert, lovely photo. The hooks are mentioned in the book "Secret Venice" but they don't know why they bring good luck either. From the book:
"two small anchors referred to as le ancorate. Venetians often tap them against the wall when they pass. For some reason, this is said to bring good luck."
Mike, I don't know of any elsewhere in Venice. There is another pair just around the corner from those we can see in the photo
Annie, thanks for confirming what I've read. I suppose the hooks are sort of anchor-shaped. But the word could be an adjective, used as a noun, meaning fixed, attached, or pegged, without the naval associations.
Another thing to ponder. These hooks are metal, presumably iron, and very old, but they show no sign of rust.
Looks like Andante got it right off the bat! (BTW, at least on my computer, clicking on the photo doesn't actually make it any bigger.) As for the hooks, people look for good luck wherever they can find it—I always touch the outside of a plane as I get on (hey, so far, so good).
The hooks visible with the bridge San Cazian are those to which one suspended the members of the quartered torture victims. The touch carries happiness according to the Venetian ones.
Brrrrrr....
(Sorry for my english...)
Bert, the hooks are too high on the wall to have been useful for tethering horses before the ponte was constructed. After the bridge was built, their heighth above calle would have required very long leads (and thus straying horses), or again leading a horse onto the steps. Perhaps michel78 is on to something? Keep researching!
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The two comments I have deleted were both posted by me, in case you might think other people may have been posting spam, or comments I disapproved of.
Michel78, your English is excellent.
Those hooks are higher than I thought, and, as Randy says, too high to be useful for tethering a horse, and there would need to be several hooks - though some may have been removed. Also, there is not much room for a horse to stand – but the building on the other side of the calle may not have been there in those days. It still seems an odd place to hang a dismembered body part, though. I've read that the Ponte dei Squartai gets its name because they used to display quartered bodies nearby. So perhaps they did display the parts near bridges. But what about the smell?
A beautiful bridge and interesting legend. Please touch them for me as you go by next time!
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