Watch Wonders online: Episode 2 Venice

In this episode of Wonders we travel to the stunning surrounds of Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. As it stands today, the city is a collection of 121 islets linked by a staggering 435 bridges. Having been built up from the seabed over the last 1500 years, the city itself is a wonder in its own right; however, the real spectacle we have come to witness is a tradition stretching back almost as long, the Venice Carnival. Hundreds of thousands of people flock to the city annually for these two weeks to throw themselves into one the most colourful and exuberant events in Europe. The carnival is characterised by the elaborate masks and costumes which dominate the crowded streets whichever way you turn. Traditionally, the masks were worn to ensure anonymity and allow the wearer to indulge their fantasies without the worry of being identified and still today the crowds are a sea of hidden faces as the throngs of people gather in St. Marks Square for the dancing, music and events that carry on late into the night. In this film we will visit one of the few surviving Venetian mask makers and learn how some of the most detailed, but elaborate designs come to fruition from the hands of this artist; we meet a visiting couple who have designed and made their own colourful and eccentric costumes before we follow them on the packed streets outside; and we take a tour in the traditional manner on a gondola along the maze of canals past the breathtaking architecture that has made this city one of the most famous in the world.

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