ABOVE: Nicola Brusò's Keep Calm Point (shown here, downhill from the Venezia Santa Lucia Railroad Station's side exit) is no longer in business, but a new owner has taken over the space.

Updated March, 2019

Keep Calm Point, a privately-owned Deposito Bagagli office and souvenir shop next to Venice's Santa Lucia Railroad Station, closed its doors on January 1, 2019.

Still, there's some good news: Luggage storage is still available at the same location, under new management, with fees in 2019 of 6 euros for a carry-on bag and  8 euros for a larger suitcase. Depending on how long you plan to leave your bag, this could be cheaper than the official Deposito Bagagli office inside the station near Track 1. (One thing to keep in mind, though: The station's baggage office is open until 11 p.m., compared to only 7 p.m. for the alternative featured here.)

Here's what to look for as you come out the station's side exit and walk down the gently sloping pavement toward the water:

For more storage options in Venice (including the Piazzale Roma, Marco Polo Airport, and other locations), see our comprehensive Luggage Storage in Venice article at Veniceforvisitors.com or our guide to Luggage Lockers in Venice at the same site.

ABOVE: The history of Venice (like the history of humanity in general) isn't always pretty, and Venice Secrets will show you how the Venetian Republic "applied justice, in a severe manner with certain and sometimes cruel punishments."

• 2019 Update: As of January, 2019, the Venice Secrets exhibition was still going (despite the information on its Web site) so check it out if you're in the neighborhood and the exhibition's subject matter interest you.

From March 31 through May 1, 2018, a major exhibition titled Venice Secrets will allow locals and visitors "to get to know the cruellest and gory side of the Venetian Republic" over the centuries.

The official press release states:

"On 31 March 2018, Palazzo Zaguri opens the “Venice Secrets, Crime and Justice” exhibition to the public.

"An exhibition which recounts the history of Venice through torture, death penalty and inquisition themes, with unique items and suggestive reconstructions, debunking myths and false myths about one of the most long-lived historical realities within the European scenario.

"The display circuit, structured in four sections and 36 showcasing rooms (first section: Justice and torture; second section: Prisons and prisoners; third section: The capital executions rite; fourth section: Inquisition and Holy Office), offers the opportunity of viewing hundreds of torture instruments and over 60 original documents exhibited to the world for the first time, talking of a dark Venice and its dramas, such as the case of Doge Francesco Foscari, the tragic end of Carmagnola and Giacomo Casanova’s prison stint.

"Each showcase room features the narration of a story, but also of the secrets of the magistrate benches which made up the structure of the State. Ample space is dedicated to the Holy Office through several examples, from the clash between the Republic of Venice and the Holy See, to the figures of Giordano Bruno and Paolo Sarpi."

Admission prices are:

• Adult €16€
• Disabled persons, students, teachers, over 65, child 6-14, €12
• Child under 6 or disabled person's assistant, free
• Group €12 per person (minimum 10 people)

For more information, including directions and a map to the Palazzo Zaguri, see the Venice Secrets Crime & Justice Exhibition Web site at venicesecrets.net.

BELOW: The Venice Secrets exhibition is in the Palazzo Zaguri on the Campo San Maurizio, within walking distance of the Piazza San Marco.

Images courtesy of Venice Secrets Crime & Justice Exhibition.

ABOVE: Ingo Bollhöfer caught a seagull in flight with a water taxi, a vaporetto station, and Venice's Dogana di Mare in the background.

By day,  Ingo Bollhöfer is the managing director of a German software firm. In his off-hours, he takes pictures--including images of Venice, which he's been visiting since 2004. He recently shared a portfolio of his color and monochrome photos with us, and we think they're fantastic.

We've reproduced a handful of images from Herr Bollhöfer's portfolio here. To see more, click the link at the end of this post.

ABOVE: A dog takes a break outside a pizza and kebab shop.

ABOVE: A pigeon whisperer communes with a flock of feathered friends.

ABOVE: You're never too young to enjoy photography in Venice.

To see more images from Ingo Bollhöfer's portfolio, visit Inspire & Connect: Venice.

Images copyright © Ingo Bollhöfer.
All rights reserved. (Used by permission.)