Last Updated on March 13, 2024 by MONICA
Brief History of Venice and it’s Maritime Republic
Greetings, fellow history enthusiasts and travel lovers! Get ready for an exciting journey as we travel back in time to discover the captivating story of Venice, which has unquestionably become one of the most enchanting cities in the world. From its emergence as a significant power through periods of grandeur and chaos to its current charm, we’ll take a delightful gondola ride through the ages. We assure you that our narrative will be engaging, lively, and as mesmerizing as Venice itself. So, please sit back, relax with your favourite beverage, and let’s embark on this historical voyage!
This article contains :
- The Birth of Venice
- The Growth of the Empire
- Venice, “Queen of the Adriatic”
- Superb Decadence of Venice
- Venice in Vogue
- Venice Preserved
- Venice: The Modern Era
The Birth of Venice
In an attempt to escape the Goths, who were aggressively pillaging and destroying their way southwards to Rome, the inhabitants of Veneto, in search of safety and shelter, ventured to the untamed islands along their marshy coastlines.
From those humble beginnings sprung one of the world’s most iconic cities: Venice (allegedly founded in AD 421).
| AD 421 – Venice was founded.Traditionally on St. Mark’s Day,25 April |
| AD 828 – Venetian merchants steal the body of St.Mark from Alexandria |
| AD 1095– First Crusade, Venice Provides ships & supplies |
| AD 1202-Venice diverts the Fourth Crusade to its own ends, the conquest of Byzantium. |
828 AD-In a show of great audacity and confidence, the Venetians stole the sacred relics of St. Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria in Egypt. This act symbolically declared their ambitious spirit!
Venice established profitable trade relations with Byzantium by exploiting its water-based position.
The Growth of the Byzantine Empire : The Doge and The Republic of Venice
During the Middle Ages, Venice flourished in strength and prestige throughout the eastern Mediterranean, reaching its peak of power when it conquered Byzantium in 1204.
| 1204 – Conquest of Constantinople; Venice plunder includes four bronze horses. |
| 1348-1349 – Black Death plague kills half of Venice’s population |
| 1380 – Battle of Chioggia: Venice defeats Genoa to win undisputed maritime supremacy in the Adriatic and Mediterranean |
| 1453 –Constantinople falls to the Turks; Venice’s empire reaches its zenith |
In contrast to its neighbouring territories, Venice was peacefully administered with a unique governmental system led by the “doge,” an elected leader whose authority and responsibilities were precisely outlined in the Venetian constitution.
The true power of the Venetian Republic rested in the Council of Ten and two thousand members that comprised its Grand Council, from which Doge and his advisors were selected.
Venice “Queen of the Adriatic” and The Fall of The Republic
The 16th century was a turbulent period for Venice. They had conquered Mediterranean trade and extended their realm to cover northeastern Italy from the Adriatic Sea to the Alps. Keeping possession of such an expansive empire meant that Venetians were forced into continual warfare.
| 1501 – Doge Leonardo Loredan, a great diplomat, begins 20 years of rule. |
| 1571 – Battle of Lepanto: decisive victory for the western fleet, led by Venice over the Turcs. |
| 1630 – The Plague strikes Venice again, reducing its population to 102.243, its smallest for 250 years. |
| 1718-Venetian maritime empire ends with the surrender of Morea to the Turks |
In 1508, Pope Julius II and Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian founded the League of Cambrai with a single goal: to end Venice. As their combined forces descended upon Veneto cities, they inflicted significant damage, yet despite all this destruction, the area remained devotedly loyal to the more merciful rule that Venice offered.
The Turks posed a far greater danger to the Mediterranean region. With their rise in 1522, they established the Ottoman Empire and steadily expunged Venice from Eastern Europe while seizing control of Cyprus by 1570.
Superb Venetian Decadence
Once a significant world power in the 18th century, Venice became synonymous with decadence as its aristocratic class indulged in extravagant lifestyles.
The Venetians squandered their inherited riches with exuberant gatherings and games of chance. Nevertheless, this lifestyle ended abruptly in 1797 when Napoleon laid siege to the city and demanded that the Dodge step down from power.
| 1797– Napoleon invades the Veneto. The Venetian Republic ends. |
| 1798 – Napoleon grants Venice and its territories to his Austrian allies in return of Lombardy. |
| 1804- Napoleon crowned King of Italy and takes back Venice |
| 1814-1815-Congress of Vienna returns the Veneto to Austria |
| 1848 – First Italian War of Independence. Venice revolts against Austrian rule. |
| 1859-Second War of Italian Independence. 1861- Vittorio Emanuele crowned King of Italy. |
| 1866-Venice & Veneto freed from Austrian rule. |
Napoleon Bonaparte granted Venice to his allies, the Austrians; however, their oppressive regime caused many of its citizens to revolt. With a shared vision of creating an independent and unified Italy, Daniele Manin led the Italian Risorgimento revolutionaries in Venice. A dream unfulfilled until 1870, four years after Venice was finally free from Austrian dominion.
Venice in Vogue
Once an introverted and static city, Venice underwent an incredible transformation upon opening the Suez Canal in 1869.
A brand new harbour was explicitly constructed for deep-sea vessels in Venice to support the growing maritime commerce. This bustling port soon became popular among wealthy Europeans and colonial administrators setting sail to distant lands.
| 1881 – Venice becomes the second largest port in Italy after Genoa. |
| 1895 – First Biennale Art Exhibition. |
| 1931- Vanice is linked to the mainland by a road causeway. |
| 1932- First Venice Film Festival. |
| 1960-Venice airport opens. |
The trend of sea bathing and the wealthy socialites that supported it sparked a new interest in Venice, leading to its foundation as Biennale and attracting Europe’s best artists. These creatives expressed their admiration for the city through literature, artworks, and music.
Venice Preserved
In November 1966, Venice experienced its most devastating flood in recorded history. This event caused far-reaching panic and anxiety about the future of the city’s crumbling infrastructure and fragile architecture.
| 1966 – Floods cause devastation in Venice. UNESCO launches its Save Venice appeal |
| 1979 – Venetian Carnival is revived. |
| 1988- First experimental stage of MOSE, the lagoon flood barrier, is completed |
| 1983 – Venice officially stops sinking after extraction of underground water is prohibited. |
To preserve its remarkable heritage, Venice has taken significant steps to safeguard itself. Nonetheless, certain complexities still exist – such as erosion due to the hordes of tourists and pollution from mainland industry booming economically.
Venice: The Modern Era
The 1990s saw Venice grappling with increased tourism, a trend that continued into the 21st century. The city’s captivating beauty and historical significance attracted millions of visitors annually. However, this influx of tourists brought about concerns regarding the city’s sustainability, with fears that it may become a “museum city.”
- 1991 – Venice’s population falls below 70,000 due to rising living costs and tourism pressures.
- In 2003, Venice hosted the 60th Venice Film Festival, marking it a significant international cinema location.
- 2013 – The MOSE Project, designed to protect Venice from high tides, is scheduled for completion.
- Venice celebrated its 1600th foundation anniversary in 2021, reminding the world of its historical and cultural significance.
| 1991-Venice’s population falls below 70,000 |
| 2003-60th Venice Film Festival takes place |
| 2008– Calatrava Bridge opened 11 years after conception on September 11 |
| 2013 -The MOSE Project is scheduled for completion |
| 2021-Venice celebrates its 1600th foundation anniversary |
As of 2023, the city continues to face the challenge of balancing preserving its cultural heritage and accommodating the economic benefits of tourism. Nevertheless, the enchantment of Venice’s winding canals remains as captivating as ever.
Found For You: A Visual Timeline of Venice’s Enchanting Past
Take a journey to the past and uncover the secrets of Venice with this insightful, visually stunning video historical overview!
From its simple start to its subsequent ascension as one of Europe’s most powerful empires, watch this Epic History TV short video for an insightful look at the captivating history of Venice!
- Venice’s unique location in the coastal lagoons protected it from invading forces and helped it become a trading hub between Europe and the East.
- Venice’s naval power was critical to its rise as a maritime republic, and its galley warships, equipped with artillery and crossbowmen, were among the most advanced of their time.
- The Venetian Republic’s government was a complex system of voting and drawing lots, which ensured stability but also had its fair share of corruption and power struggles.
Arrivederci!
And there you have it, amici! We’ve navigated through the winding waterways of Venice’s past, brushed shoulders with influential figures, and taken in the breathtaking vistas of its architectural wonders. From humble beginnings to a city of grandeur and through periods of chaos, Venice has consistently risen, proving itself to be as resilient as it is beautiful.
As we conclude our virtual gondola ride, I hope you’ve discovered a newfound appreciation for this magical city that dances on the water. So, keep your sense of adventure alive, and who knows? Perhaps soon, you’ll be sipping a robust espresso in a bustling Venetian piazza, the echoes of our historical voyage still fresh in your mind. Until our next historical journey, stay curious and keep exploring!