Venice in 1891 Through Fascinating Photos

In the 1890s, Venice was a city suspended between past and present. Though politically part of unified Italy, it remained steeped in history—its canals, palaces, and churches largely unchanged. Artists and travelers flocked to capture its romantic decay, while local life continued around gondolas, boatyards, and quiet squares.

These fascinating photos of Italian photographer Ferdinando Ongania (1842–1911) were published in the 1890s in the two volume Calli e Canali in Venezia (Streets and Canals in Venice) that contained one hundred photogravures of the canals, streets and inhabitants of Venice.

Gondola, Venice, 1891

Equestrian Statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni, Venice, 1891

Arsenale, Venice, 1891

Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, 1891

Bridge of Sighs, Venice, 1891

Campanile of St Mark's Basilica, Venice, 1891

Campo Santa Margherita, Venice, 1891

Canal and Boatyard of San Trovaso, Venice, 1891

Canal in Torcello, Venice, 1891

Chioggia Statue, Venice, 1891

Church of S. Jeremiah, Labia Palace on the Grand Canal, Venice, 1891

Courtyard, Palazzo Ducale, Venice, 1891

Cristoforo Canal, Venice, 1891

Doge's Palace and St. Mark's Square, Venice, 1891

Doge's Palace, Venice, 1891

Doges Palace and Piazza San Marco, Venice, 1891

Grand Canal and Ca' Foscari, Venice, 1891

Grand Canal, Venice, 1891

Grand Canal, Venice, 1891

Grand Canal, Venice, 1891

Grand Canal, Venice, 1891

Grand Hotel and House of Desdemona, Venice, 1891

Loggetta del Sansovino, Venice, 1891

Ponte Paradiso, Venice, 1891

Porta della Carta St Marks Square, Venice, 1891

Punta della Dogana, Venice, 1891

Rialto Bridge Venice, Italy, 1891

Rio de la Frescada, Venice, 1891

Rio Priulli, Venice, 1891

St Marks Cathedral, Venice, 1891

St Marks Square, Venice, 1891

Street Scene, Venice, 1891

The Canal of S. Marina, Venice, 1891

The Clock Tower, St. Marks Square, Venice, 1891

Wooden Bridge on Giudecca Island, Venice, 1891