Joe M O'Brien

Tourists gather in Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square) whilst people walk their dogs past St Mark's Basilica. The original Basilica was next to the Doge's (Duke's) Palace and was ordered in 828. The Doge, from the latin Dux (Leader) was the leader of the Republic of Venice between 697 and 1797. Venice has suffered from over tourism from day-trippers and cruise ships with approximately 20 million visitors annually. Tourism came to a halt in February 2020 when Italy introduced a lockdown due to Covid-19. Restrictions were lifted at the beginning of June 2020 and by July, according to locals, tourism was down by 90%. July 2020. Venice, Italy.

Crowds watch the 'Gondole' race during race during 'La Festa del Redentore' (The Redeemer's Feast) regatta.   July 2020, Venice.

The Patriarch of Venice, Francesco Moralgia performs a blessing outside the 'Church of the Most Holy Redeemer' during during 'La Festa del Cristo Redentore' (Christ the Redeemer's Feast) after the 'Solemn Mass'. The 'Redentore' is one of the oldest festivals in Venice. It commemorates the end of the plague 1575-1577 that killed over 46,000 citizens of Venice, including the painter Titian (Tiziano Vecellio) in 1576. To stem the pandemic the Doge (Leader) Alvise Mocenigo commissioned a basilica. On the third Sunday of July in 1577, the first stone of the Church of the Most Holy Redeemer on the island of Giudecca was laid. It was decided to celebrate the end of the plague, a temporary floating walkway would be constructed between Punta della Dogana and the island of Giudecca. A procession of Venetian dignitaries would make their way to the church. Today the 'Festa del Redentore' is renowned for it's spectacular fireworks display in St Mark's basin, but the tradition of the votive bridge and ceremonies performed by the Patriarch of Venice still remain. Therefore keeping alive the meaning of the festival, dating back to 1577. July 2020, Venice. 

A woman looks across the Roman Bridge over the Rubicon river (towards the ancient Roman Republic), the boundary of ancient Cisalpine Gaul and the Roman Republic. The river is famous for it being crossed in 49BC by Julius Caesar who was the Governor of Gaul, therefore sparking a civil war. "Cross the Rubicon" is an idiom which means to commit to a plan or course of action that cannot be reversed. August 2020. Savignano Sul Rubicone, Italy.

People wearing face masks sit or stand in the Turin Cathedral (Duomo di Torino; Cattedrale di Giovanni Battista), dedicated to Saint John the Baptist. Built in 1470 the cathedral received an addition to its structure in 1668-1694, the Chapel of the Holy Shroud (Shroud of Turin). A hung copy of a section of the Holy Shroud can be seen in the background of the photo. August 2020. Turin, Italy.