If you know where to look in Venice, you’ll find a special brick heart. But what does it have to do with a fisherman and a mermaid?

Before we get to the brick heart, let’s take a look at the legend.

A young fisherman named Orio used to cast his nets at Malamocco. One night, he struggled to drag the unusually heavy nets into his boat. A sweet voice asked him to set the speaker free, and Orio dropped the net in fright.

Two female hands gripped the side of his boat, and a girl’s head popped up beside him, his net draped over her.

Orio asked her if she was a witch. The girl laughed and explained that she was a mermaid, nothing more. She flapped her fish’s tail to prove it. Named Melusina, the mermaid’s beauty caught Orio’s attention.

If you know where to look in Venice, you'll find a special brick heart. But what does it have to do with a fisherman and a mermaid? Click here to find out.

A Mermaid by John William Waterhouse [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

They talked until dawn, and Melusina promised to return to the spot the next day. They met there every night, and just before dawn and Melusina’s departure, Orio found his nets completely full.

Orio proposed several times and eventually, Melusina agreed to give up her tail for human legs. There was just one condition. Until they were married, Orio shouldn’t come to see her on a Saturday.

He agreed, and for two weeks stayed away on the appointed day. But on the third Saturday, he couldn’t help himself and headed to their usual spot. He waited for hours, but no one came. As he got up and prepared to leave, a giant sea serpent appeared.

Terrified, Orio ran away. A familiar voice called after him, berating him for breaking their bargain. Melusina explained she’d been cursed to become a snake on Saturday. Yet if he still married her, it would break the spell and she’d become beautiful again.

Happily ever after? Not quite.

The couple married and for a time, all was well. They were happy and had three children together. Orio always filled his nets and the family never wanted for food.

Sadly, Melusina grew ill and died. Just before she passed away, she asked Orio to bury her at sea where they’d met. Orio did so and mourned the loss of his wife.

Yet that isn’t the end of the story. Someone kept cleaning the house and caring for the children. Orio wondered if a neighbour was sneaking in to take care of the family.

One Saturday morning he came home early. He found a giant snake in the kitchen. Clearly forgetting the last time he’d encountered such a creature, he snatched up an axe and lopped off its head. Orio thought he’d saved his family.

The housework stopped being done. No one cared for the children while Orio was away. It dawned on him what he’d done.

He’d lost Melusina forever. The brick heart marks the site of their house and immortalises their love.