Aerial view of Venice, Italy Jan 2, 2026

Seeing Venice from above is mesmerising, but this Italian gem"s true magic lies within its walls and waterways. Founded in the 5th century on a cluster of islands in the Venetian Lagoon, the early settlement rose from marshland to become a maritime powerhouse. By the Middle Ages, it had evolved into a major hub for trade between Europe and the East, fuelling immense wealth and cultural growth. The city"s grandeur shines through its Gothic palaces, Renaissance art and landmarks such as St Mark"s Basilica, the Doge"s Palace and the Rialto Bridge.

© Clement Leonard/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Fit for a fairytale
Jan 2, 2024Prayer flags in Phobjikha Valley, Bhutan
Jan 2, 2025Ardez village, Graubunden, Switzerland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

May 7, 2026Kofa National Wildlife Refuge, Arizona, United States
Sep 13, 2024Point Reyes National Seashore, California, USA
Spring is the time for billing
May 2, 2024Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho, USA
For Mother’s Day, we salute these marsupial moms
Pastel perfection
Celebrating Guru Nanak Gurpurab
Mar 29, 2025Superbloom in Carrizo Plain National Monument, California, United States
Paint the sky with colours
May 2, 2025Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Bridging the gap two ways
Mar 4, 2025Charminar, Hyderabad, Telangana
Jul 6, 2026Syracuse, Sicily, Italy
Big rocks, big heads
Aug 17, 2025Lyngvig Lighthouse, Hvide Sande, Denmark
Nov 25, 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Mar 6, 2024Wahclella Falls, Oregon, USA
Why are blackbirds tied to winter?
A day for the worlds Indigenous populations
Dec 27, 2023Kirkjufell, Iceland
Natures boost fruit
Apr 6, 2026Castle Day Japan
Apr 11, 2025Tulips, Netherlands
What’s blooming so brightly?
Switzerland of India
Sep 1, 2025Great Basin National Park, Nevada, United States
Sequoias of the sea
Sep 23, 2023Autumnal equinox
Dec 29, 2024Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia
Nov 23, 2024Fibonacci Day