3-053-279 - The London Archives (City of London)/Heritage Images

Gondolas and the Rialto Bridge, c1891. 'Greatest of All Spectacles; Illuminated Aquatic Festivities'. Illustration from the exhibition pamphlet for 'Venice in London', a spectacular show staged by Imre Kiralfy. The entertainment was variously described as 'Venice The Bride of the Sea at Olympia', 'Venice at Olympia', and 'Venice in London'. The event required the import of 100 gondolas from Venice, with Venetian gondoliers. According to 'The Times' newspaper, 4,893,980 people visited the event in its first year.