History
The Early Years
“Leonardo Loredano.” Painting. Wikipedia. Web. 12 May 2013.
The first residents of Venice were coastal inhabitants of northeastern Italy. They fled to the nearby islands of the Lagoon of Venice due to the invasion of the Lombard barbarian horde from Germany. This took place in circa 400 A.D. After the barbarians left, a small strip of land in the Italian region Veneto including Venice became part of the Byzantine Empire. The Byzantines lost control of Venice in 697 A.D. and the Venetians elected their own doge. A doge is a political leader much like a duke. Venice had a doge that ruled until 1797, when the last doge was forced to abdicate by Napoleon. Venice developed into a city state, and its perfect location at the head of the Adriatic Sea caused Venice to become a flourishing trade center between the West and the East.
The newly founded Republic of Venice quickly became an influential power in the sea. It captured many territories in the Mediterranean Sea before 1200, such as Crete and Cyprus. Venice reached its prominence during this time, and was considered the richest city in the world. It won many major sea battles and conquered its rival city state Genoa, it controlled most of the sea routes and therefore trade routes to the East, and it prospered.
The Republic of Venice was very much attached to the sea. The doge would perform a ceremony in which he would ride out to the sea on a boat and toss a ring into the sea, proclaiming that he was "married to the sea." The boat that the doges would use are still in Venice today.
The newly founded Republic of Venice quickly became an influential power in the sea. It captured many territories in the Mediterranean Sea before 1200, such as Crete and Cyprus. Venice reached its prominence during this time, and was considered the richest city in the world. It won many major sea battles and conquered its rival city state Genoa, it controlled most of the sea routes and therefore trade routes to the East, and it prospered.
The Republic of Venice was very much attached to the sea. The doge would perform a ceremony in which he would ride out to the sea on a boat and toss a ring into the sea, proclaiming that he was "married to the sea." The boat that the doges would use are still in Venice today.
The Long Decline
“Sultan Mehmed II.” Painting. Wikimedia Commons. Web. 12 May 2013.
The fall of Constantinople in 1453 to the Ottoman Turks ended the long Roman legacy, and also began the long decline of Venice. Venice's decline took almost 400 years. The Ottoman Turks were one of Venice's main enemies at sea and on land, and after the Turks gained more territory and power by capturing Constantinople, they began winning more battles and more land. in 1470, Venice lost a major naval battle at Negropont, a Greek Island, against the Ottoman Turks. In 1492, Christopher Columbus discovered North America, leading to a vast new market for European traders, while in 1497, Vasco da Gama sailed across Africa's Cape of Good Hope and found a new route to India, the main spice source. This ended Venice's monopoly over the spice trade.
The Renaissance
“Antonio Vivaldi.” Painting. Last.fm. Web. 12 May 2013.
During the 1500's, the European Renaissance spread to Venice. The European Renaissance was a cultural movement that took place in the late 1300's to the 1600's. The word "renaissance" literally means "rebirth" in French. The Renaissance brought a time of great artistic energy to Venice, and it was during the 1500's that architects, sculptors, and stonemasons built and designed the city's greatest buildings, while decorators, plasterers, and woodworkers adorned the interiors of the buildings. Venice's greatest legacy, however, was its painters. These Venetian painters are some of the greatest artists of all time: Jacopo Bellini, Andrea Mantegna, Vittore Carpaccio, Giorgione, Lorenzo Lotto, Paolo Veronese, and Tintoretto. The Renaissance also developed Venice's love for the arts, music, and theatre. Music was generally only performed in the king's court during this time, but in Venice there were 17 public theaters! Venice was one of the great musical centers of Europe. Among the most famous Venetian composers were Claudio Monteverdi, composer of many operas, and Antonio Vivaldi, composer of the famous music concerto “The Four Seasons.” Venice’s most famous theater opened, the Teatro La Fenice (The Phoenix).
The Last Years - Modern Day
“Napoleon.” Painting. Napoleon Bonaparte. Web. 13 May 2013.
The Republic of Venice came to an end in 1797. Napoleon's army came from France and conquered the city state during the First Coalition. Napoleon then signed a treaty with Austria, and Venice and the area around it became part of Austria's Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia. In 1866, the Third Italian War of Independence took place and Venice became part of the newly founded Kingdom of Italy.
For Venice, adapting to modern life has become difficult. Now days, Venice is treated like a museum. It still sustains an distinct urban life. Away from all the tourist attractions, children still use town squares as playing fields, a poor substitute to the city parks and other amenities that should be there but are lacking.
For Venice, adapting to modern life has become difficult. Now days, Venice is treated like a museum. It still sustains an distinct urban life. Away from all the tourist attractions, children still use town squares as playing fields, a poor substitute to the city parks and other amenities that should be there but are lacking.