OLYMPIC FLAME TRAVELS DOWN VENICE’S GRAND CANAL FOR FIRST TIME. (PHOTO).

Olympic flame travels down Venice’s Grand Canal for first time

 The Olympic flame made a historic journey through Venice on Thursday, with torchbearers navigating boats along the Grand Canal and across St. Mark’s Basin, passing the iconic Doge’s Palace in a scenic display ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games.

The flame arrived near dusk at Venice’s Piazzale Roma, the city’s main transit hub, and traveled across the Ponte delle Guglie in Cannaregio before reaching the Rialto Bridge. From there, it was loaded onto a boat to continue along the Grand Canal toward the Accademia Bridge. Olympic gold medalist cyclist Francesco Lamon was among the torchbearers, describing the experience as “an indescribable emotion.”

Venice, long a key crossroads between Eastern and Western civilizations, is known for its Byzantine architecture and historic trade in spices, silks, and art. Today, it serves as the capital of the Veneto region, which also includes Cortina, one of the Winter Games host cities. On clear days, the snow-capped Dolomites are visible from the city’s historic center.

The torch will continue on foot and by boat, including a passage to San Giorgio island, before returning across St. Mark’s Basin to St. Mark’s Square, where it will pass St. Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace once more.

Venice marks the 46th stage of the 63-day Italian torch relay, which spans nearly 12,000 kilometers and passes through all 110 provinces of the country. The flame began its journey in Rome and will conclude at Milan’s San Siro Stadium for the Games’ opening ceremony on Feb. 6. This is the first time in almost 20 years, since the 2006 Turin Winter Games, that Italy has hosted the Olympic flame. The Winter Games will run through Feb. 22, closing in Verona.