Venice Lido Panorama of Luna Amusement Park from Hotel Excelsior Real Photo Postcard

The Lido di Venezia transformed from a defensive barrier island into one of Europe's first grand beach resorts in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The Grand Hotel Excelsior, opened in 1908, epitomized this luxurious development, becoming a landmark with its opulent Moorish Revival architecture and extensive amenities designed to attract an international elite seeking seaside leisure.