Venice

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the region of Veneto. It is built on a group of islands separated by water and canals, with many bridges connecting the parts of the city. The islands are in the shallow Venetian Lagoon, a bay between two rivers.

The city was the capital of the Republic of Venice for many years. It was important for trade and art during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Venice had many lands along the Adriatic Sea and in the Italian peninsula. The Venetian Arsenal was a very important place for the city's navy.

Venice has many famous names, such as "City of Water," "City of Masks," and "The Floating City." The city and its lagoon became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Today, Venice is a popular place for tourists and a center of culture. But the city faces problems like too many visitors, pollution, and high tides. Because of these issues, Venice's UNESCO status is watched closely.

History

Main article: History of the Republic of Venice

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Venice.

Origins

Venice began when people moved away from nearby Roman cities like Padua, Aquileia, Treviso, Altinum, and Portogruaro. Fishermen lived on islands in the marshy lagoons. The first church, San Giacomo on Rialto, was dedicated in the year 421.

The Roman town of Oderzo was destroyed by the Quadi and Marcomanni. Later, the Visigoths and the Huns invaded the area. The Lombards took over most of the region in 568, but Venice stayed part of the Eastern Roman Empire. New ports were built at Malamocco and Torcello. The first leader, or "doge," Paolo Lucio Anafesto, was elected in 697.

In 726, there was a rebellion over religious issues. The leader, Ursus, supported the emperor. In 751, the Lombards took over the area, making Venice more independent. The local leader’s seat moved to Rialto during the time of duke Agnello Particiaco. Buildings like the monastery of St Zachary and the first ducal palace were built there.

Charlemagne tried to control Venice, but his son Pepin of Italy failed in 810. An agreement in 814 recognized Venice as Byzantine territory with trading rights. By 828, Venice gained relics of St. Mark the Evangelist, placing them in a new basilica. Winged lions became a symbol of St. Mark and are seen throughout the city.

From the 9th to the 12th centuries, Venice grew into a powerful trading place. It had good trade routes and strong money rules. The city stopped pirates and became a major trade center between Western Europe and the rest of the world, especially with the Byzantine Empire and Asia. Venice took places along the Adriatic for trade and safety. It controlled islands in the Aegean, including Crete and Cyprus, and became influential in the Near East.

Venice became very powerful after the Fourth Crusade in 1204, when it captured Constantinople. Many valuable items were brought back to Venice. After the fall of Constantinople, Venice gained control of areas known as the Duchy of the Archipelago and captured Crete.

The loss of Constantinople weakened the Byzantine Empire. Although the city was recaptured later, it never fully recovered and eventually fell to Sultan Mehmet The Conqueror in 1453.

Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Venice had strong trade ties with the Byzantine Empire and the Middle East. By the late 13th century, Venice was the richest city in Europe, with many sailors and ships. Leading families built grand palaces and supported artists. The city was governed by the Great Council, made up of noble families. The council appointed officials and elected a Senate. A smaller Council of Ten handled much of the city's administration. One member was elected "doge," or duke, to be the main leader.

Venice’s government was similar to ancient Rome’s, with an elected leader, a senate-like group, and limited power for the general public. Venice stayed a republic, keeping politics and the military separate except when the doge led the military.

Venice was mostly Catholic but known for its freedom from extreme religious views. The church and property were tied to military service, but there was no knight system in the city. The Cavalieri di San Marco was the only order of knighthood in Venice. The German printing press spread to Venice in the 15th century, and by 1482, Venice was the world’s printing capital. Aldus Manutius invented paperback books that could be carried easily.

Decline

Venice’s decline began in the 15th century. It faced the Ottoman Empire and lost many eastern Mediterranean areas. Vasco da Gama’s voyage to India around the Cape of Good Hope ended Venice’s trade monopoly. Venice’s ships were not suited for ocean travel, so it fell behind in the race for colonies.

The Black Death hit Venice hard in 1348 and again between 1575 and 1577. In 1630, another plague killed many people.

Venice lost its role as a major trade center during the later Renaissance as Portugal became the main trader with the East. France and Spain fought for control of Italy, reducing Venice’s political power. However, Venice kept exporting farm products and remained a manufacturing center until the mid-18th century.

Modern age

The Republic of Venice lost its independence when Napoleon Bonaparte took the city on May 12, 1797. Venice became Austrian territory in 1797 and part of Napoleon’s Kingdom of Italy in 1805. After Napoleon’s defeat in 1814, it returned to Austrian control. In 1866, Venice became part of the new Kingdom of Italy.

From the mid-18th century, Trieste and Ancona grew as free ports, competing with Venice. The opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 shifted trade routes, and Venice quickly lost its economic edge.

During World War II, Venice was mostly spared attacks. The historic city faced no major damage, though industrial areas were bombed. On April 29, 1945, British and New Zealand troops liberated Venice.

Venice was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987 as "Venice and its Lagoon".

Geography

Venice is in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region. The city is built on small islands with canals and many bridges. The historic center has six districts, or sestieri. These are Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo, and Santa Croce.

Venice's land has sunk over time. This, with rising sea levels, causes regular flooding called Acqua alta. The lowest parts, like St. Mark's Basilica, are very close to the water. A big project called the MOSE Project is being built to protect the city. It uses barriers that rise during high tides to block the water. However, this project has faced delays and costs more than expected.

Venice has a humid subtropical climate, with cool winters and warm summers. January temperatures average around 4°C (38.8°F), and July temperatures average around 24°C (74.8°F). The city gets about 748 millimetres (29.4 inches) of rain each year. Snow can fall between late November and early March. In very cold winters, the canals can freeze, but this is rare now.

Main article: Sea level rise in Venice

Demographics

Venice was a big city in Europe during the High Middle Ages. By the year 1300, up to 180,000 people lived there.

In 2021, about 254,850 people lived in Venice. Most lived on the mainland, with fewer in the old city center and nearby islands. The average age is 48.6 years, older than in Italy. Many people move away because of high rents. Venice also faces problems with pollution and too many tourists.

The city has people from many cultures, such as Bangladesh, Romania, Moldova, China, and Ukraine. Most people are Roman Catholic, but there are also Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist communities. There has been a Jewish community in Venice for a long time, though it has become smaller.

Government

See also: Mayor of Venice

Palazzo Corner is where the leaders of Venice meet. Palazzo Ferro Fini is where the leaders of Veneto meet.

The people of Venice choose 36 leaders every five years to help make decisions for the city. There is also a mayor who helps lead the city.

Venice is split into six smaller areas called boroughs. Each borough has its own group of leaders who help make decisions for their part of the city.

Historically, Venice was divided into six areas called sestieri. The city is made up of many small islands close together.

Each sestiere used to have its own special traditions and festivals.

Other islands nearby do not belong to any of the sestieri.

Each sestiere has its own way of numbering houses. Every house has a special number in its area.

Economy

Venice's economy has changed a lot over time. In the past, trade was very important for the city. During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, Venice was a big center for trade.

Today, tourism is very important to Venice. Many people visit to see famous places like St. Mark's Basilica and the Grand Canal. There are also industries like making Murano glass and lace.

Tourism

Venice is a popular place for tourists who want to see its famous art and buildings. UNESCO has talked about protecting Venice because of crowding and environmental issues.

Tourism has been important for Venice for a long time. Today, Venice hosts big events like the Venice Film Festival and the Carnival of Venice, which attract visitors from around the world.

There are many famous spots to visit, such as St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, and the Grand Canal. The city also gets many visitors from cruise ships.

Diverting cruise ships

To protect Venice's historic areas, Italy has tried to keep big cruise ships away from the city's canals. Plans were made to make ships use a different route.

In 2019, Italy started moving big ships to different ports outside the main city area. This helps protect the historic parts of Venice.

Other tourism mitigation efforts

Venice has tried other ways to manage tourism. In 2017, the city stopped allowing new hotels to be built.

In 2024, Venice started charging a fee for some tourists. This helps pay for cleaning and keeping the city safe.

New rules in 2024 also limit tour groups and ban loudspeakers to keep the city quieter.

Transport

In the historic centre

Venice is built on 118 islands in a shallow lagoon that covers 550 km² (212 sq mi). The islands are connected by 400 bridges over 177 canals. In the 19th century, a road was built to connect Venice to the mainland by train. In the 20th century, more roads and parking areas were added. Today, people move around the old part of Venice by walking or on water. Venice is one of Europe’s largest areas where cars are not allowed.

The most famous boat in Venice is the gondola. Today, gondolas are mainly used for tourists or special events. There are around 400 licensed gondola drivers in Venice. Some gondolas have soft seats and nice rugs. A smaller boat called a sandolo is also used.

Waterways

Venice’s canals are important for moving goods and people. Many bridges cross the canals to let people walk safely. In 2011, a new bridge was built across the main canal, the Grand Canal, connecting the bus area to the train station. Other important bridges include the Ponte di Rialto, Ponte dell’Accademia, and Ponte degli Scalzi.

Public transport

The main way to travel around Venice is by motorised waterbuses called vaporetti. These buses travel along the Grand Canal and between the islands. Private water taxis are also available. Some gondolas are still used to carry people across the Grand Canal where there are no bridges. Tourists can also rent gondolas for short trips.

The Venice People Mover is a train that connects the parking area on Tronchetto island to the bus area in Venice. It also stops at the cruise terminal.

Lido and Pellestrina islands

Lido and Pellestrina are two islands that protect the lagoon from the sea. On these islands, people can drive cars and take buses. Waterbuses connect these islands to Venice, Murano, and Burano, as well as to the mainland area.

Mainland

The mainland part of Venice has four areas: Mestre-Carpenedo, Marghera, Chirignago-Zelarino, and Favaro Veneto. Mestre is the largest area on the mainland. There are several bus routes and two tram lines. Buses and trams connect the mainland to the old city of Venice.

Rail

Venice has train stations for both local and long-distance travel. Trains go to cities like Florence, Milan, Turin, Rome, and Naples. There are also international trains to cities such as Zurich, Innsbruck, Munich, Vienna, Paris, and Brussels.

The Venezia Santa Lucia railway station is very close to the waterbus stop in the old city. The Venezia Mestre railway station is on the mainland. Both stations are connected by a bridge.

Ports

The Port of Venice is one of the busiest ports in Italy. It handles many ships and containers. In recent years, very large ships have been banned from passing through a certain canal to protect the city.

Aviation

Marco Polo International Airport is named after the famous traveler Marco Polo. The airport is on the mainland. From the airport, you can take buses to Venice, Lido, Murano, and Mestre. You can also take waterbuses to Venice, Lido, and Murano, or buses to other places like Padua and Treviso. There is also a smaller airport on Lido di Venezia for smaller planes.

Sport

Venice has a special way of rowing where rowers stand and face forward. This is used by gondoliers to carry tourists and by locals for fun. Many rowing races, called regatas, happen during the year. The biggest event is the Regata Storica on the first Sunday of September.

The city's main football team is Venezia FC, founded in 1907. They play in Serie B. Their stadium, Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, is in Sant'Elena.

The local basketball team is Reyer Venezia, founded in 1872. They play in the Lega Basket Serie A. The team's home court is the Palasport Giuseppe Taliercio in Mestre. Luigi Brugnaro is the president of the club.

Education

Venice is a special place for learning. The city has several universities, including the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, which opened in 1868, and the Università Iuav di Venezia, started in 1926. There is also the Venice International University, created in 1995, and the EIUC-European Inter-University Centre for Human Rights and Democratisation.

Other schools in Venice include the Accademia di Belle Arti, which began in 1750, and the Benedetto Marcello Conservatory of Music, founded in 1876.

Culture

Literature

Venice has inspired many writers, playwrights, and poets. Important Venetian writers include Marco Polo, who traveled to faraway lands and shared his experiences, and Giacomo Casanova, known for his exciting life and writings.

Venetian playwrights followed traditional Italian comedy styles. Writers like Ruzante, Carlo Goldoni, and Carlo Gozzi used the Venetian language in their funny plays.

Venice has also inspired writers from other places. For example, Shakespeare set some of his plays in Venice. The city appears in many famous books from around the world.

Printing

By the late 1400s, Venice became a leading city for printing books. It had many printing presses and was one of the first places in Italy to start printing. The Aldine Press was very important and produced beautiful books.

Painting

During the Renaissance and Baroque periods, Venice was a major center for art. Venetian painters developed their own style, using warm colors and interesting techniques. Famous artists from Venice include the Bellini family, Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese.

Venetian architecture

Venice has many different types of architecture. The Gothic style is very famous, with buildings like the Doge's Palace and Ca' d'Oro. There are also Renaissance and Baroque buildings, giving the city a unique look.

Rococo style

Venice was known for its fancy Rococo designs. Even though the city's economy was struggling, its artists created rich and detailed furniture, mirrors, and decorations.

Glass

Venice is famous for its beautiful glasswork, especially Murano glass. The glass industry started on the island of Murano, where skilled workers created colorful and elaborate glass items.

Festivals

Venice holds many famous festivals. The Carnival of Venice is a joyful event with masks and celebrations. The Venice Biennale is a major art event. The Festa del Redentore features a special bridge and fireworks. The Venice Film Festival is one of the oldest and most famous film festivals in the world.

Music

Venice has a long history of music. It was known as the "Republic of Music" because music was everywhere. Famous composers like Antonio Vivaldi and Tomaso Albinoni lived and worked in Venice.

Cinema, media, and popular culture

Venice has been featured in many films, books, and games. Some famous examples include the movies Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade and Casino Royale, and the manga series JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.

Photography

Venice has attracted many photographers. Artists like Fulvio Roiter and Luca Zordan have captured the city's beauty in their photographs.

Cuisine

Venetian food includes lots of seafood, rice dishes, and special local treats. Popular foods are sardines in sauce, rice and peas, Venetian-style veal liver, and sweet treats like tiramisu.

Fashion and shopping

Venice has a history of fashion, especially in the 1400s when men wore colorful clothes. Today, Venice is a shopping place known for its handmade goods, like the famous bags from Roberta di Camerino.

International relations

Twin towns – sister cities

See also: List of twin towns and sister cities in Italy

Venice has special friendships with many cities around the world, called sister cities. Some of these cities are:

• Bangkok, Thailand
• Dubrovnik, Croatia
• Hiroshima, Japan
• Istanbul, Turkey
• Le Havre, France
• Palembang, Indonesia
• Saint Petersburg, Russia
• Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
• Suzhou, China
• Tallinn, Estonia
• Yerevan, Armenia

Cooperation agreements

In 2000, Venice started working with a group in Greece to help protect important buildings and art across Europe. In 2001, Venice also made an agreement to help show Italian culture to people in other countries.

Venice also works with these cities on special projects:

• Lübeck, Germany (1979)
• Nuremberg, Germany (1999)
• Qingdao, China (2001, Science and Technology Partnership)
• Thessaloniki, Greece (2003)
• Miami, United States (2020)

Places named after Venice

The country Venezuela got its name from Venice. Many places around the world are also named after Venice, like:

• Venice, Los Angeles, home of Venice Beach
• Venice, Alberta, in Canada
• Venice, Florida, a city in Sarasota County
• Venice, Louisiana
• Little Venice, London
• Venise-en-Québec, Québec

People

Venice has been home to many famous people in different areas.

Music

Venice has produced many talented musicians and composers, such as Andrea Gabrieli, Giovanni Gabrieli, and Antonio Vivaldi, known for his beautiful violin music.

Painting

The city also has a rich history in painting, with artists like Titian and Canaletto, famous for his paintings of Venice's scenery.

Writing

Venice has inspired many writers, including Carlo Goldoni, who wrote many plays, and Paolo Sarpi, a historian who wrote about Venice's history.

Doges & public servants

Venice was led by important leaders called doges, such as Enrico Dandolo, who helped shape the city's past.

Explorers

Venice was the starting point for explorers like Marco Polo, who traveled to places far away, including China.

Architects

The city's beautiful buildings were designed by architects such as Baldassare Longhena, who helped create Venice's famous style.

Entertainers

Venice has also been home to entertainers like Marietta Zanfretta, who performed daring acts on high wires.

Sport

Many athletes come from Venice, including Ercole Olgeni, who won medals in rowing at the Olympics, and Mauro Numa, a fencer who won gold in 1984.