History Of Venice

Take a self-guided walking tour or a gondola trip around Venice and you’ll struggle not to notice that the city is steeped in history and heritage, with examples of classic architecture all around, among which the Basilica San Marco and the Doge’s Palace are but a few. As European cities go, there are few that capture a sense of tradition and bygone days such as Venice.

Early days

There is little official documentation about the city’s early days, but legend tells us that the Romans settled in the area around 422 AD while trying to escape the wrath of the Goths. A more likely story, according to historians, is that some time around 2,000 years ago, both hunters and fishermen settled on mudflats of what was little more than a lagoon at the time and this marked the beginning of the city’s founding. These settlers were more likely refugees from the northeastern part of the country that had at the time been subject to invasion and ravaging by Attila the Hun. A century later, the arrival of the Lombards into the north of the country forced more settlers to arrive seeking refuge in the area.

It was around this time that the city came under Byzantine rule and shortly after in 726 AD, under the rule of an independent leader, the Venetians elected the first doge (duke) of the city. A century later in 828 AD, the city’s status was further elevated by its acquisition (by theft) of the relics of St Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria, which were subsequently given pride of place in the city’s new basilica. At the same time, the patriarchal seat was shifted to Rialto and the control held by the Byzantines began to wane, beginning the process which ultimately led to autonomy and independence.

Middle Ages

As the 10th century drew to a close, Venice was in a strong position as a rich and powerful trading nation. The arrival of the Crusades, the sacking of Constantinople and the division of wealth from the collapsed Roman Empire all brought increased prosperity to Venice and further increased its status as one of the country’s most prominent cities. However, as the Middle Ages arrived, Venice found itself fighting against Genoa for control of the region then later (early 16th century) against Spain and pretty much every significant European power. These events left Venice bankrupt and no longer a force to be reckoned with from a trade perspective and consequently the city went into decline.

Later times

By the beginning of the 19th century, Venice was poor and in a state of serious decay and was saved only by the arrival of large numbers of tourists who injected enough money into the city to get it back on its feet again. The Lido became the city’s focal point and rapidly developed into a fashionable resort which attracted wealthy Europeans on their summer vacations. Now, with 116 islands, 409 bridges and 150 canals, Venice is a haven for explorers, giving them the chance to delve into the intricate maze and discover some fantastic and often unexpected architectural delights.