“Here lamps and streetlamps truly cherish showing-off.
They are proud of their unique shape and unique lighting power;
well, in other words they do everything in their power
to be admired by us strolling or walking along.
They are well aware of not being there just and only to light the way,
but they also wish to put on a show.
Truth is that they are integral part
of the city’s surroundings and backdrop.
They are just like little monuments placed here and there to remind all of us,
with each step we take, the difference and diversities this City offers.”

A collection of sensations: this Venice at night, photographed by Gian Mauro Lapenna and described by Marco Franzoso, is an itinerary laden with secrets and fascinations. Lamps, streetlamps and lanterns light-up only partially calli, campielli and fondamenta, with the results of exalting not so much the brightened areas, but rather to enhance the unseen, the shady areas.  
The reader is invited to venture out at night throughout the city of the Dogi – with the aid of the map accompanying each image – and discover first hand the points of light shown in the photographs. But it will not be that simple, because at night Venice is truly a different city!