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Leone Hotel is located in the heart of the Cannaregio district, immersed in the most authentic, lively and tradition-rich Venice, where the life of Venetians flows between water and bridges.
This hotel in Venice is an intimate palace of ancient origins, completely renovated, from which one can enjoy the most evocative sunsets in the most romantic city in the world.
Located close to the Jewish Ghetto, Leone Hotel overlooks the Cannaregio Canal, close to the Grand Canal, and is an ideal choice for those seeking a hotel or B&B in Venice. Just a few steps from the main road to Rialto and San Marco, you can easily reach museums, palaces, churches and other fascinating places in the lagoon city.
The lion, symbol of strength and wisdom, is the symbol of Venice and represents St Mark, the city’s patron saint.
Legend has it that St Mark, sailing towards Alexandria in Egypt, sought shelter in Venice. An angel, in the form of a winged lion, appeared to him in a dream, anticipating that his body would rest there. This story is still passed down among the Venetians today. The lion can be found represented in hundreds of elements in the city: bridges, boats, paintings, statues, bas-reliefs, but also in many ‘door-knockers’ scattered in more or less well-known places in the historic centre.
Leone Hotel invites guests to discover and photograph these symbols of Venice, during an authentic and fascinating stay, recalling the origins of this B&B in Venice, between culture and tradition.
The lion, a symbol of fortitude and wisdom, represents Venice and is the emblem of St Mark, the city’s patron saint.
Legend has it that St Mark, while setting sail towards Alexandria in Egypt, encountered a tempest thus seeking refuge in one of the few fishermen’s huts in Venice (most likely located around Rialto). After a frugal meal, he fell asleep. An angel, in the form of a winged lion, appeared to him in a dream and uttered a sentence in Latin: ‘’Pax tibi Marce, evangelista meus. Hic requiescet corpus tuum’’, meaning ‘‘Peace be with you, Mark, dear evangelist of mine, here is where your body will rest’’. In the morning, the Saint narrated this event to the fishermen and then departed to Egypt where he eventually met his demise. From then on, for centuries, this legend was passed down from generation to generation making Venetians more and more determined to return Mark’s body to the city. Finally, in 828, two Venetian merchants stole the relics of the Saint from Alexandria and delivered them into the embrace of their homeland.
The winged lion is a recurring feature of innumerable elements in the city: bridges, boats, paintings, statues, bas-reliefs, and several ‘doorknockers’ spread all over more and less renowned corners of the historic centre.
Let’s find and photograph them!
Visit Venice, its squares, calli, museums and churches and immerse yourself in the secret city among its most hidden and unusual corners.