🏞️ The Venice Province, officially known since 2015 as the Metropolitan City of Venice, is part of the Veneto region in northeastern Italy. It covers an area of about 2,467 km² and includes 44 municipalities, with a population of over 836,000.

🌊 The province is largely flat and shaped by river deltas from the Brenta, Piave, Livenza, and Tagliamento rivers. It borders the Adriatic Sea and features a mix of historic towns, beach resorts, and cultural landmarks. Notable places include Chioggia, Jesolo, Caorle, and the Riviera del Brenta, known for its grand villas.

🏛️ Venice City is the capital of both the province and the Veneto region. Built on 118 islands connected by 438 bridges, it floats in the Venetian Lagoon and is famed for its canals, Renaissance architecture, and rich cultural heritage. Once the heart of the Republic of Venice, it was a maritime powerhouse and a hub for trade, art, and music. Today, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for landmarks like St. Mark’s Basilica, the Grand Canal, and the Doge’s Palace.

The St. Mark’s Basilica and the Horses of Saint Mark.

Art in the musea of Venice.

The island Murano in the Venice lagoon.

The island Burano in the Venice lagoon.

🏛️ Venice’s History: A Floating Empire of Trade, Art, and Independence

Venice, built on 118 islands in a lagoon off the Adriatic Sea, has a history as unique as its geography. It rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most powerful maritime republics in Europe.

📜 Origins and Early Development

  • Founded in 421 AD (according to tradition) by refugees fleeing invasions of Roman cities like Padua and Aquileia.

  • Settlers took refuge in the marshy lagoon, forming communities that were hard to reach by land—ideal for defense.

  • Became part of the Byzantine Empire as the Exarchate of Ravenna, but gradually gained autonomy.

👑 Rise of the Republic

  • In 697, Venice elected its first doge, Paolo Lucio Anafesto, marking the start of its independent governance.

  • By the 9th century, Venice had established itself as a key trading hub between East and West.

  • The Relics of St. Mark were brought from Alexandria in 828, making him the city’s patron saint and symbol.

⚓ Maritime Power and Expansion

  • Venice became a thalassocracy (sea empire), dominating trade routes across the Mediterranean.

  • Played a pivotal role in the Crusades, especially the Fourth Crusade (1202–1204), which led to the sacking of Constantinople and expansion of Venetian territories.

  • Controlled key ports and islands like Crete, Cyprus, and parts of the Dalmatian coast.

🎨 Golden Age

  • From the 13th to 17th centuries, Venice flourished in art, architecture, and music.

  • Home to masters like Titian, Tintoretto, and Vivaldi.

  • Introduced the gold ducat, a trade coin used across Europe for centuries.

⚔️ Decline and Foreign Rule

  • Faced challenges from the Ottoman Empire, losing territories like Cyprus and Crete.

  • The discovery of new trade routes shifted commerce away from the Mediterranean.

  • In 1797, Napoleon ended the Republic, and Venice was ceded to Austria via the Treaty of Campoformio.

  • Became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1866, after the Third War of Independence.

🌍 Modern Venice

  • Today, Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its canals, culture, and resilience.

  • It faces modern challenges like overtourism, rising sea levels, and preservation efforts, but remains one of the world’s most iconic cities.