« Today was an incredibly busy day! We explored Venice partially. We visited a stunning Orthodox church (it's called San Giovanni Decollato), and along the way, we stopped by about five other holy places, checked out several great cafes, tried some pizza, wandered through an Italian market, and touched the ancient walls of the tiny streets. On the same shore where the church is located, it was much quieter and less crowded compared to the main tourist areas. This atmosphere revealed a completely different side of Venice! Interestingly, prices there are a bit lower, and you can really feel the city's energy. I really didn't want to leave. Afterward, we explored a huge Italian supermarket. »
The church was founded in 639 AD. The dome of the central nave sparkles with a mosaic depicting saints with crowns above their heads. In another mosaic, hundreds of figures crowd in front of the Last Judgment – a fascinating 12th-century mosaic, perhaps the best rendition of this theme I've ever seen. »