In the past, Venice was not well lit by street lamps and along the numerous
"calle", the typical narrow Venetian passageways, the only lights were the
so-called "cesendeli", the candles used to illuminate the religious images
on the walls.
After a period of violence in about 1450, a law was passed forcing those who
ventured outside after sundown to carry a light. They could use candles, candelabras, lanterns and many other types of
lights.
The nobility, the wealthy merchants, and especially the foreigners (foresti) were accompanied by a servant called a "codega" who held a lamp before them and helped them make their way.
The term "codega" may derive from "cotica", the thick, hard pork skin used
to feed the flame for the light. It may also derive from the greek "odegos",
or "guide."
|
