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Venice or Venice?

Venice in Los Angeles, USA or Venice, Italy? Different centuries...same soul.

Which Venice is your dream vacation: Venice, Italy or Venice, USA?

Venice in Los Angeles was built in the beginning of the 20th century as a beach resort town, ambitiously modeled after Venice in Italy. Canals were dug to drain the marshes. There were buildings in Venetian style on the main 'canale' and the visitors coming with trolleys from L.A were offered real Gondola tours around the community. It was a success that attracted 50,000 to 100,000 visitors every weekend.

The founder of this Amercian dream town was tobacco millionaire, Abbot Kinney, and when he died in 1920, Venice became more difficult to manage demanding extensive restorations. Furthermore, the prohibition in the 1920's reduced the tax revenue. Venice suffered from the depression, and after Venice was taken over by the city of Los Angeles, it was decided in 1929 to pave over most of the canals, despite protests from the citizens.

Neglected by the city of Los Angeles, Venice became known as the Slum by the Sea, which was not necessarily a bad thing for Venice. It had low rents and run-down bungalows to offer young artists, poets, and writers. This was the place for the Beat Generation and it paved way for another revolution, the big hippie movement which became very strong in the Venice community. For example, the band, The Doors, was founded in Venice Beach. Since then, prices have gone up and now Venice Beach, L.A is a posh and popular neighborhood, though still with an artistic profile of it´s citizens.

Venice in Italy was the center of the world starting from around the middle ages - mostly comparible to what New York is today. Venezia (in Italian) is where you found the money, power and the most glorious, groundbreaking architecture. No wonder why Shakespeare set his plays in Venice, even though he allegedly never set his foot down in Italy. It has been an obvious meeting point for history´s most important artists: Bellini, Vivaldi, Albinoni, Wagner, Lord Byron, Henry James, Mahler, Thomas Mann.. not to mention the artist of Love, Mr. Casanova himself. It´s hard to mention anyone who has not spent a summer or two in Venice, Italy.

Venice in Los Angeles is now considered one of the most interesting centers for Moden Art in the world, plus a well-known trend setter for pop culture phenomenan like rollerblades, milkshakes, soy Lattes, Yoga and healthy diets like microbiotic cooking..

So in a funny way you can say that little sister Venice in Los Angeles bares the heritage of the name Venice rather successfully.

Are you curious of Venice in Los Angeles: Book your accomodation at Hostelsclub´s recommended hostel on Venice Beach, Venice Beach Cotel.

If History and European Culture still are your preferences: Book your accomodation in Venice, Italy.

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