A Magical Hogwarts

One of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Europe, St. Mark's Basilica has a decidedly modest, eccentric appearance.

Unlike the desolate gray towers of Notre Dame Cathedral or Chartres Cathedral, St. Mark's Cathedral is equally majestic, but more down-to-earth.

It is wider than it is tall, and topped by five raised snow-white domes, it looks almost festive.

Many tourist brochures compare St. Mark's Basilica to a birthday cake with cream on top.

So, here comes the question... People say it is also a church, why did they choose to hold the International Conference of Wizards and Wizards here?

Churches and wizards have historically been mortal enemies. There were witch hunts in the Middle Ages.

Well...it's the same wizarding millennium conundrum Merlin can't explain, as wizards spend Christmas and Easter.

William and Hermione walked towards the church and stopped at the same time when they passed by the St. Peter's Lighthouse.

The two looked at each other and looked to the side in astonishment!

An old tour guide dressed as an imam was waving a "Bible" and angrily explaining how the Venetians deceived the bones of St. Mark.

Wait...why is this guy so familiar?

Isn't that the old priest tour guide at Notre Dame Cathedral?

Good guy, haven't seen you for a year, converted to *** religion?

Well, the last time he took the Quran, but this time it was the Bible.

Old pagan!

Are you really not afraid of being beaten in this dress?

Once again meeting an acquaintance, William and Hermione felt very interesting, and stood to one side and listened for a while.

He was pointing at a pillar and explaining the flying lion to the tourists.

The statue of the flying lion, which can be seen everywhere in Venice, is also a symbol of the city.

If you look closely, you will find that the flying lion proudly claws, stepping on an open book, and there is a Latin inscription on the book:

PaxtibiMarce, evangelistameus.

"It is said that this sentence was said by an angel when Marco first arrived in Venice, which means: I am the messenger Marco! May you rest in peace here.

The angel also predicted that Mark's body would also be buried here in the future. "

Mark was the Roman name and the Jewish name was John. He was a follower of Christ and is said to have written the famous Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Bible

The old imam was indignant and said: "This angel's prophecy is false, and the Governor of Venice made it up himself in order to cover up their sins.

It was with these words that they tricked the remains of St. Mark from Alexandria and buried them in St. Mark's Cathedral. "

William was shocked and remembered the prophecy of Death:

Follow in the footsteps of the Doge of Venice.

He has lied.

So which viceroy stole St. Mark's body when he was in office?

"These robbers!" The old imam waved his Bible, as if it was the mosque that had been stolen.

"The Doge of Venice is accustomed to cheating and looting. Did you see that statue?"

William and Hermione followed his fingers.

Beneath the glittering flying lions, St. Mark's Basilica is on display, one of its most famous treasures.

— four great bronze horses,

The four horses were in a pose ready to leap into the square.

"Like many of Venice's priceless treasures, they were plundered from Constantinople during the Crusades."

William was very interested, but the old imam just introduced it casually, then he pointed to the bell tower of San Marco behind him and started to explain.

"This building was completed in 1514. However, it suddenly collapsed in 1902. The Campanile of San Marco, now seen, was rebuilt in 1912."

The old imam was exposed again, his identity as an undercover agent, and his opening was Dharma:

"This is the karma of Buddhism! It is said in the Nirvana Sutra that karma has three retributions, one retribution, the retribution of good and evil, and the retribution of suffering and happiness; …”

William looked at the old imam speechlessly. The real identity of this person is actually the high priest Wang Lama of the mosque's office in the Vatican, right?

William and Hermione stopped listening to him running the train, and continued to walk towards the entrance of the cathedral.

St. Mark's Basilica is often criticized for providing an "overwhelming number of entrances".

Its lower part is almost entirely occupied by five recessed entrances.

At these five entrances, dense columns, arches and porous bronze gates, if without any other effect, greatly increase the access to the entire building.

The two searched for a moment and went straight to a closed bronze door.

"Sir, Miss, do you buy it?" a woman at the door asked.

It was a beautiful gypsy woman in a long floral dress, and her straight black hair was braided in a long braid, tied with red and gold rope.

In her hand she held a tall pole with various Venetian masks hanging from it.

Most of them use the popular full-face style, the kind of white masks that people often wear at carnivals.

Among her merchandise are some naughty half-face "Little Pigeon" masks, several "Bautta" masks with triangular chins, and a laceless Muretta mask.

The mask culture of Venice is unique in European civilization.

They take masks as a part of their daily life, and even before the 18th century, the lives of the residents here were completely inseparable from masks.

When people go out, men and women must wear masks and cloaks.

Nowadays, during the annual carnival, the Venetians also wear masks and revel in the streets for 11 days.

It smells like a Death Eater.

"Did you buy it, Mr. Stark?" the gypsy woman asked again.

William smiled slightly and shook his head. "They're all pretty, but I don't want them, thanks."

Hermione took out two invitations from the security form and handed them over.

After the gypsy girl took it, she checked it again, then raised her head and said with a smile, "I recognized you two just now."

"My name is Nymeria, can you sign me, I'm a fan of both of you?"

She lifted a mask around her waist and looked at William and Hermione with expectant eyes.

The two had no choice but to sign on one side of the mask.

"This is a thank you!" Nymeria took off two masks and handed them over.

"Free, no money." She winked playfully.

After thanking, William and Hermione took over.

"Come on, you are the earliest wizards." Nymeria said excitedly.

"This bad weather, the people from the Ministry of Magic's Weather Management Department, it's time to take care of it, or we'll all have to watch the sea at the door of the cathedral."

Nymeria took out a large golden key and opened the closed door of St. Mark's Basilica.

The three pushed open the door and walked in.

Under the influence of magic, the room changed from St. Mark's Basilica to the Venetian branch of the Ministry of Magic.

They crossed a wide staircase and entered the main hall. It's an impressively spacious space with an impossibly high vaulted roof.

The owls were flying and circling, and the witches and wizards were busy at work.

Nymeria led William and Hermione through the hustle and bustle.

Several wizards sat in line, waiting for a house-elf to polish their wand, using an intricate feathered contraption.

Many wizards looked curiously at William and Hermione behind Nymeria~www.wuxiaspot.com~ The three passed through the crowd and entered the elevator, and the fence door slammed shut.

"Secretary-General's Office," Nymeria said softly.

The elevator rose slowly, the chain rattling.

"Mr. Martell, Secretary-General, is waiting for you."

William nodded lightly and pulled out a letter.

He also had to go to this Mr. Martell, deliver a letter for Professor Dumbledore, and pick up an item.

Without that stuff, the Triwizard Tournament wouldn't be possible.

...

...

(Ask for recommended tickets and monthly tickets, everyone.

Thanks for the reward from the "Trance Xiaobai" boss. )