The Venetian Republic

The Venetian Republic was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and a staging area for the Crusades and the Battle of Lepanto, as well as a very important center of commerce, especially grain, silk and spice trade, and art in the 13th century up to the end of the 17th century.

Venice in northern Italy is the capital of the region Veneto. It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Venice has been known as the La Dominante, Serenissima, Queen of the Adriatic, City of Water, City of Bridges, and The City of Light.

Venice stretches across 118 small islands in the marshy Venetian Lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy. The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the Po and the Piave Rivers.

The population estimate of 272,000 inhabitants includes the population of the whole Comune of Venezia; around 62,000 in the historic city of Venice Centro storico; 176,000 in Terraferma, the Mainland, mostly in the large frazione of Mestre and Marghera; and 31,000 live on other islands in the lagoon.

The Venetian Republic