the secret:
Echoes of Justice
These hooks were once used to display the remains of executed criminals as a warning to others. One of the most infamous was Biagio Cargnio, whose fate left a lasting mark on Venice’s history.
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These little iron anchors are one of Venice’s hidden details, carrying a dark but fascinating history. Once symbols of harsh justice, they’ve become charms of good luck. The tradition says that if you can make them jingle by touching them, it means you’re alive, and no gondolier will have reason to ferry you to San Michele, the city’s cemetery.