VENICE
(VENEZIA)
The city of Venice is famous and unique
for its structure alone, which extends over approximately
120 islands separated by numerous canals all connected to
each other by over 400 bridges. Consequently, urban travel
is almost exclusively carried out on water (motorboats, public
water boats, gondolas and private boats).
In the historical centre, heavily depopulated (less
than 60000 remaining residents) tertiary activities prevail:
administrative functions and industry connected with the powerful
tourist business. The artisan industry (glass and souvenir
etc.) is also mainly linked to the tourist influx (approx.
3 million people yearly), giving rise to many cultural activities,
amongst which the Biennale d’Arte, also connected to
the International Festival of Contemporary Music and that
of prosa, the Mostra del Cinema, (the first showing of new
films), the Premio Letterario Campiello, (Literary award),
the musical seasons of the wonderful Fenice theatre, which
re-opened in November 2004, having been restored and renovated
after it was destroyed in the disastrous fire of ’96.
The lagoon area was already inhabited from the migration of
Entroterra (569-637) due to the descent of the Longobards
on the Padanan plains.
Inserted in the Exarcate (Proto-Romanesque period) of Ravenna,
allowing the city to be governed through the patriarch of
Aquileia, Venice became autonomous, establishing ruling by
the Doges (the first Doge was Paoluccio Anafesto, 692). After
the fall of Ravenna (751) and the attempted annexation by
Carlo Magno (810), the nuclear town (Venetia) was constituted,
beginning its mercantile expansion in the Adriatic, in competition
with the Dalmati and Muslims. Under the rule of Doge Orseolo
II (991-1008), Venice established its dominion, then good
relations with the German and Byzantium empires. Due to this,
the city assumed a prestigious, political and economic position,
allowing it to overcome the battle between the Papacy and
advancing empire of the Normans in the lower Adriatic (11-12th
Century).
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Flats in Venice
Restaurant Antico Dolo
