If there is a magical city in the world this is Venice. Treasure chest, treasure itself admirable. Italian excellence par excellence, during its more than a thousand years of history, has established itself first as one of the main naval and commercial powers of Europe and today as an essential destination for travelers from all over the world, attracted by its colors and flavors.
The Republic of Venice Founded in 697 by Paoluccio Anafesto, has become the Serenissima Republic of Venice since the seventeenth century
Initially it extended into the area of the Dogado, the current metropolitan city of Venice, and then annexed part of northeastern Italy, Istria, Dalmatia, the coasts of Montenegro and Albania and some islands of the Adriatic Sea and the eastern Ionian Sea.
Between the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries it reached its maximum expansion, also ruling the Peloponnese, Crete and Cyprus, as well as several cities in the eastern Mediterranean.
During the 7th century, the islands of the lagoon of Venice reunited in the Maritime Venice, a Byzantine duchy dependent on Ravenna, which subsequently gave way to the Duchy of Venice led by the Doge.
There are many battles carried out to safeguard the trade routes and, through the Crusades, the duchy also imposes itself in the Middle East. The same happens in the Mediterranean Sea, precisely against Genoa to gain supremacy; after the Peace of Turin in 1381, Venice decided to expand inland.
Fonte: veneto.info
From here on, the city faces the League of Cambrai, consisting of the Habsburg Empire, France and Spain and, after losing several territories, even the Ottoman Empire, to then be occupied by the French troops of Napoleon Bonaparte.
Throughout its history, the Republic of Venice has always distinguished itself for its political ideology: it had as its head a doge, in the wake of the Byzantine administrative structures, accompanied by several assemblies with legislative and judicial functions. And even today the signs of that era so prosperous and lush can be admired on its palaces and monuments, real national heritage.
What to see in Venice
Venice is one of the most visited cities in the world; the reason? Its attractions are unique, starting from the fact that it is entirely built on water and boasts a centuries-long history. The great wealth accumulated by the Serenissima has given rise to a large number of buildings, monuments and works of art with irresistible appeal. Here’s what not to miss:
Canal Grande
The main attraction of Venice is undoubtedly the Grand Canal: it consists of the large snake-shaped canal that runs through the historic center of the city, is 4 kilometers long and is the main street of communication in the city. Getting on board the vaporetto to move from one point to another in Venice is exciting and unforgettable.
Fonte: venice-tourism.com
St Mark’s Square and Basilica
Among the most famous in the world, St Mark’s Square is full of tourists at any time of the year. Elegant and charming, it is located close to the lagoon and hosts the most important events of the city. Inside there are two monuments that are symbols of Venice: the Basilica of San Marco and the Campanile, accompanied by the Clock Tower, the Correr Museum and the historic Caffè Florian.
Fonte: placesonline.com
Ducal Palace and Bridge of Sighs
Another wonder of Venice is Palazzo Ducale, the seat of the Venetian Republic. It is one of the greatest examples of Venetian Gothic style and houses an artistic heritage of inestimable value. On the outside, however, it is composed of facades beautifully decorated with geometric patterns.
Fonte: veneto.info
Walking through its corridors you can see the famous Bridge of Sighs that, in the past, connected the Doge’s palace to the prisons of the Serenissima.
Rialto Bridge
The Grand Canal of Venice is crossed by four bridges, but the most famous is certainly the Rialto Bridge, an architectural marvel dating back to the late sixteenth century. It consists of a meeting point for citizens, especially for the fruit and vegetable market that is set up on the side of the bridge.
Fonte: veneto.info
Murano
An all Venetian production very popular all over the world is the murrina, a very elaborate decoration in Murano blown glass; just visit a local shop to discover how the glass is made to produce real works of art, or go straight to the Glass Museum.
Fonte: 10cose.it
Burano
Another island that, together with Murano, is deeply linked to the Venetian tradition is Burano: it is further away from the historic center but, at the same time, it is definitely quieter, ideal for those who love relaxation and tranquility. The specialties of the place are lace, to which a special museum is dedicated.
Fonte: dreamgrandtour.it
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Art lovers can not resist a visit to the Gallerie dell’Accademia, a very prestigious museum that houses the most important collection of Venetian painting in the world. Its 37 rooms are housed in the former Church of Santa Maria della Carità and, among the most important pieces, there are “La Pietà” by Titian and “La Tempesta” by Giorgione.
Fonte: gallerieaccademia.it
Gran Teatro La Fenice
The Gran Teatro La Fenice is the main opera house in Venice, as well as one of the most prestigious in the world. Wanted by the Noble Society of the palchettisti, to whom we owe the name La Fenice, it was inaugurated in 1792. Despite the two fires that hit it and almost totally destroyed, in 2003 it was reopened to the public after intense restoration activities.
Fonte: teatrolafenice.it
Arsenal
The San Polo district offers another unmissable attraction: the Arsenale, a complex of shipyards, workshops and warehouses that, at the time of the Serenissima, was the hub of the city’s naval industry. Also recommended to visit the Naval Historical Museum and its extraordinary Pavilion of Ships.
Fonte: venice-tourism.com
What to eat in Venice
In Venice there are not only monuments and architectural attractions, but you can also enjoy good food drawing on the local culinary tradition.
Fonte: cookist.it
From appetizers to desserts, here’s what to taste during a visit to the city:
- cod whipped: an appetizer or an aperitif all Venetian, based on fish cooked in milk and then transformed into a soft mousse to accompany with polenta or toast;
- rice and bisi: this is rice and peas, a dish that takes the best from a soup and a simple risotto;
- Venetian liver: a second dish of meat made of veal liver cooked in butter and flavored with onion, to be accompanied by polenta;
- fritole: balls of fried pasta, seasoned with raisins and pine nuts or stuffed with cream or eggnog;
- polenta and schie: the schie are small lagoon shrimps that, together with the traditional polenta, give a tasty and decisive dish;
- castradina: consists of a mutton and savoy cabbage soup served mainly on the eve of the feast of Our Lady of Health;
- bigoli in sauce: a first course made with bigoli, a type of spaghetti thicker, seasoned with a special sauce of sardines and onions;
- sardines in saor: a delicious appetizer, with sardines marinated with onion and vinegar and flavored with raisins and pine nuts before being fried and served hot;
- zaeti, baicoli and bussolai: typical Venetian biscuits, all to taste. The zaeti have a distinctive yellow color, the baicoli are thin and dry, while the bussolai are made with eggs, sugar and flour and flavored with rum or anise;
- moeche, masanete and granseola: the moeche are the male lagoon crabs, while the masanete are the female crabs both are boiled and seasoned with oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Granseola, on the other hand, is a very large and delicious crab, blanched and seasoned with oil, lemon and parsley.
Copertina: italia
