A Rainy Day in Venice, December 1952

Moored gondolas in Grand Canal in front of flooded Piazza San Marco w. Santa Maria della Salute Church in the background.

Moored gondolas on a foggy Grand Canal w. Santa Maria della Salute Church in the background.

Moored gondolas on Grand Canal w. Santa Maria della Salute Church in the background.

Pigeons consuming space in Piazza San Marco on a rainy day w. St. Mark's Basilica in the background.

Corner of the Doge's Palace on a rainy day in the Piazza San Marco.

Arched bridge over narrow canal flowing between ancient buildings of the city.

Winter fog hanging over travelers by gondola on Grand Canal amidst the venerable bldgs. of this ancient city.

Pedestrians on a rainy day in Piazza San Marco.

Pedestrians threading their way along makeshift wooden sidewalk across a flooded Piazza San Marco during its usual winter condition.

Pedestrians threading their way along makeshift wooden sidewalk across a flooded Piazza San Marco during its usual winter condition; Grand Canal is visible in distance.

Moored gondolason Grand Canal in front of Piazza San Marco w. Santa Maria della Salute Church in the background.

Pedestrians crossing flooded Piazza San Marco in front of the Basilica next to the Doge's Palace on a rainy day.

Night lit by elegant street lights in a flooded Piazza San Marco next to the Doge's Palace after a heavy rain.

Upside down shimmering reflection of St. Mark's Basilica & tower playing off the flooded paved Piazza San Marco during it usual winter condition.

Flooded Piazza San Marco with St. Mark's Church in the background.

Pigeons flocking above pedestrians crossing Piazza San Marco on a rainy Venice day.

Narrow canal flowing between ancient buildings of the city.

Flooded Piazza San Marco with St. Mark's Church in the background.

Moored gondolas in canal in front of flooded Piazza San Marco w. Santa Maria della Salute Church in the background.

Winter fog hanging over travelers by gondola on Grand Canal amidst the venerable bldgs. of this ancient city.

Pedestrian on a rainy day in Piazza San Marco w. Grand Canal in background.

Pedestrians wading across through partially flooded Piazza San Marco next to the Doge's Palace on a rainy day.

(Photos by Dmitri Kessel, via LIFE archives)