THE STRAVEDAMENTO – WHEN VENICE AND THE DOLOMITES EMBRACE

For most of the year, the Prealps and the high peaks of the Dolomites are not visible from the Venetian coastline due to the mist and humidity that obscure the horizon. However, you can witness a small miracle on rare occasions when the distance between the lagoon and the nearest peaks, located 100 miles or more away, seems to disappear. This occurs most frequently in the winter and autumn when special weather conditions combine: the cold, clear Bora winds blow in from the northeast, driving away the clouds and mist and clearing the sky resulting in cold temperatures and clear, dry air. The presence of these factors is often the origin of the phenomenon known locally as “stravedamento”.

Though it is difficult to translate this word’s full meaning, which incorporates a sense of wonder, the term comes from the local dialect of Chioggia town and was used by local fishermen to define a clear and visible horizon. The stravedamento makes possible stunning views such as those captured by our colleague Giacomo which are posted below. The grandeur of the mountains rising behind Venice is so pronounced it seems almost improbable to the human eye, and it is not uncommon for shots like these to be considered as photoshopped images. In reality, it is simply the work of the camera’s telephoto lens which compresses the planes and reduces the distance between the photographed subjects, making them appear to be very close.