Venice

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the region of Veneto. It is built on a group of 126 islands separated by open water and canals, with portions of the city linked by 472 bridges. The islands lie in the shallow Venetian Lagoon, an enclosed bay between the mouths of the Po and the Piave rivers.

As of 2025, the city proper has 249,466 inhabitants, with nearly 50,000 living in the historical island city of Venice, while most of the population resides on the mainland, and about 25,000 live on other islands in the lagoon.

The city was the capital of the Republic of Venice for almost a millennium, from 810 to 1797. It was a major financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, and an important center of commerce and art from the 13th to the end of the 17th century. Venice possessed numerous territories along the Adriatic Sea and within the Italian peninsula, leaving a lasting impact on architecture and culture. The Venetian Arsenal is considered by several historians to be the first factory in history and was the base of Venice's naval power.

Venice has been known by many names, including "La Dominante," "La Serenissima," "Queen of the Adriatic," "City of Water," "City of Masks," "City of Bridges," "The Floating City," and "City of Canals." The lagoon and the city within the lagoon were inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

In the 21st century, Venice remains a very popular tourist destination and a major cultural center. It has often been ranked one of the most beautiful cities in the world. However, the city faces challenges, including overtourism, pollution, tide peaks, and cruise ships sailing too close to buildings. Because Venice and its lagoon are under constant threat, Venice's UNESCO listing has been under constant examination.

History

Main article: History of the Republic of Venice

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Venice.

Origins

Venice began with people fleeing invasions from nearby Roman cities like Padua, Aquileia, Treviso, Altinum, and Portogruaro, as well as from the countryside. Fishermen lived on islands in the marshy lagoons, called "lagoon dwellers." The first church, San Giacomo on Rialto, was dedicated on March 25, 421.

The Roman town of Oderzo was destroyed by the Quadi and Marcomanni around AD 166–168. Later, the Visigoths and the Huns led by Attila invaded the area. The Lombards conquered most of the region in 568, leaving Venice as a small 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, a rebellion occurred over religious issues. The leader, Ursus, supported the emperor and was confirmed as leader. In 751, the Lombards took over most of the area, making Venice more independent. The local leader’s seat moved to Rialto during the time of duke Agnello Particiaco (811–827). Buildings like the monastery of St Zachary and the first ducal palace were built here.

Charlemagne tried to control Venice, but his son Pepin of Italy failed in a siege 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 empire. It had strategic advantages and strong monetary policies. The city eliminated pirates and became a major trade center between Western Europe and the rest of the world, especially with the Byzantine Empire and Asia. Venice seized places along the Adriatic for trade and security. 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, including gilt bronze horses placed above the entrance of St. Mark's Basilica. 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 greatly. 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. 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. Venice stayed a republic, keeping politics and the military separate except when the doge led the military. War was seen as a way to continue trade.

Venice was mostly Catholic but known for its freedom from extreme religious views. It executed no one for religious beliefs during a certain period. This led to conflicts with the papacy. 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, killing about 50,000 people. In 1630, another plague killed a third of the city’s 150,000 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 1848, a revolt briefly restored the Venetian republic, but it was crushed in 1849. 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 located in northeastern Italy, in the Veneto region. The city is built on a group of 118 small islands separated by canals and linked by 438 bridges. The historic center of Venice is divided into six districts, called sestieri. These are Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Marco, San Polo, and Santa Croce.

Venice sits on land that has slowly sunk over time. This sinking, along with rising sea levels, causes regular flooding in the city, known as Acqua alta. The lowest parts of Venice, like St. Mark's Basilica, are very close to the water. To protect the city, a big project called the MOSE Project is being built. It uses special barriers that rise up 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, damp winters and warm, humid summers. January temperatures average around 4°C (38.8°F), while 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 has become rarer in recent years.

Main article: Sea level rise in Venice

Demographics

Venice was a very large city in Europe during the High Middle Ages, with its population reaching up to 180,000 people by the year 1300. By the mid-1500s, the population had grown to 170,000, and by 1600 it was close to 200,000.

In 2021, the city of Venice had around 254,850 people living there. Most of these people lived on the mainland, with fewer in the historic city center and on other islands in the lagoon. The average age of people in Venice was 48.6 years, which is older than the average age in Italy. Many people are moving away from the historic center because of high rents, which is changing the character of the city. Venice also faces challenges such as pollution and too many tourists during busy times.

The city has many different cultures, with large groups from Bangladesh, Romania, Moldova, China, and Ukraine. Most people in Venice are Roman Catholic, but there are also Orthodox, Muslim, Hindu, and Buddhist communities. There has also been a Jewish community in Venice for a long time, though their numbers have decreased over the years.

Government

See also: Mayor of Venice

Palazzo Corner is where the leaders of the city of Venice meet. Palazzo Ferro Fini is where the leaders of the nearby area called 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 known as 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 and had a large sea empire. Many people traveled to Venice for pilgrimages.

In later years, other countries took over some of Venice's trade. The city became more focused on farming and industry. 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. Up to 60,000 tourists visit each day, which can cause crowding and problems for the environment. UNESCO has talked about putting Venice on a list of places that need protection because of these issues.

Tourism has been important for Venice for a long time. In the past, rich people would visit as part of their travels. 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. These ships bring a lot of money but can also cause problems with crowding and wear on the city.

Diverting cruise ships

To protect Venice's historic areas, Italy has tried to keep big cruise ships away from the city's canals. In 2019, a cruise ship hit a smaller boat, hurting some people. This led to more calls to keep big ships away from the city center.

Plans were made to make ships use a different route, but these plans took time. In 2019, Italy started moving big ships to different ports outside the main city area. This helps protect the historic parts of Venice but takes time to set up properly.

Other tourism mitigation efforts

Venice has tried other ways to manage tourism. In 2017, the city stopped allowing new hotels to be built. This helps keep the number of visitors from growing too fast.

In 2024, Venice started charging a fee for tourists who are not staying overnight. This helps pay for cleaning and keeping the city safe. The fee is only charged on busy days, and some people like local residents and hotel guests don't have to pay it.

New rules in 2024 also limit tour groups to 25 people and ban loudspeakers to keep the city quieter.

Transport

In the historic centre

Venice is built on a group of 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 called Venetian-style rowing, where rowers stand and face forward. This method is used by gondoliers to carry tourists and by locals for fun and sport. Many rowing races, called regatas, happen throughout 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, and they play in Serie B. Their stadium, Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo, is in Sant'Elena and is the second-oldest stadium in Italy that is still used.

The local basketball team is Reyer Venezia, founded in 1872. They currently 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 and also the mayor of Venice.

Education

Venice is an important place for learning. The city has several universities, including the Ca' Foscari University of Venice, started in 1868, and the Università Iuav di Venezia, begun 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

In 2013, Venice decided to stop its friendship with Saint Petersburg because of some laws in Russia that were unfair to certain people.

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 fields.

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.