21026: Venice review

I’ve finally gotten round to building my first LEGO Architecture Skyline model. This sub-theme of the Architecture range is new this year launching with three sets, Venice being one of them. I’m a latecomer to this theme but since last year it’s one theme I feel LEGO have not yet ruined with the insistence of gimmicky play features that are plaguing D2C sets at the moment.

Set description

Celebrate Venice with this LEGO® Architecture Skyline model!

Capture the architectural essence of Venice with this magnificent set that brings together the iconic Rialto Bridge, St. Mark’s Basilica, St. Mark’s Campanile, St. Theodore and the Winged Lion of St. Mark, and the Bridge of Sighs, in an inspirational skyline setting. Each individual LEGO® structure is designed to provide a unique and rewarding building experience, with true-to-life color and relative scale depiction. Rivers and canals are represented in the tiled baseplate, adding an extra dimension and feel of authenticity to this detailed recreation of one of the world’s most beautiful cities.

• LEGO® interpretation of the Venice skyline.
• Features the Rialto Bridge, St. Marks Basilica, St. Mark’s Campanile, St. Theodore and the Winged Lion of St. Mark, and the Bridge of Sighs.
• Venice’s rivers and canals are represented by blue tiles in the baseplate.
• The included booklet contains information about the designer, architecture and history of each structure, as well as historical facts about Venice and its architectural heritage (English and Italian language only. Other languages available for download at LEGO.com/architecture. Ask your parents’ or guardians’ permission before going online).
• St. Mark’s Campanile features a special deco of the Winged Lion of St. Mark.
• Includes a 4×32 tiled base with decorative “Venice” nameplate.
• Recreate the world’s most beautiful cities with the LEGO® Architecture Skyline Collection.
• LEGO® Architecture celebrates the world of architecture through the medium of the LEGO brick, and is developed for all with an interest in design, architecture and history.
• Measures 5” (14cm) high, 9” (25cm) wide and 1” (3cm) deep.

Review

The set comes in the standard black box which I still prefer over standard retail ones. We have the set on the cover with blueprints underneath the model, and the usual jargon on the sides. The back has bullet points in both English and Italian, and pictures of the set with photos of the buildings they represent. The box is sealed with two easily pealed tapes. The instructions come in a lovely presented black book with instructions in both English and Italian. The parts come in two clear packets.

The booklet is 99 pages long: 21 pages filled with details on Venice with great info and photographs, then the build starts on page 22 and finishes on page 88 with 56 stages altogether. The back has adverts for other sets and a parts list like most LEGO instruction booklets.

The build is a simple one due to scale with the first 22 steps taken up building the display base. Unlike the normal sets in this theme, we don’t get a black 1-stud-wide border. We still get the black frame but the actual model goes right to the edges. The set name actually sits out more the rest of the base. The build area is 4 studs wide moving left to right.

We build the Rialto Bridge first. It’s simple in design for LEGO due to scale, although I don’t think white is the correct colour for the bridge. The main building St. Mark’s Basilica sits in the centre of the base and the height is given using classic 2×4 reddish brown minifigures. This is done over 13 steps but the spires are all split into minor steps. Next to this we build the tall St. Mark’s Campanile. Again, this is a simple structure but flies up in no time. The build is finished with the columns of St.Theodore and the Lion of Venice, followed by the bridge of signs. The columns use white elements with a micro figure representing St. Theodore. The weakest part of the set has to be the bridge of sighs… it looks like a bridge, but nothing like what it’s meant to represent!

Overall I do like the new cityscapes and this is an OK set. Due to the micro-scaling the builds are very simple and the details that usually brings Architecture sets to life are missing, which I feel weakens the set. However, if you don’t compare it with the other sets from this theme I do think LEGO have done a fair job in representing Venice at such a small scale.

This set can be picked up from all major retailers now.

Disclaimer: All our reviews are our own personal views, thanks to the LEGO ARP team for providing us with sets to review.