Schmap Venice Historical Background

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Venice - Historical Background
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According to official historical accounts, one of the first important events in the history of Venice was the election of the first doge, a type of magistrate, by the Byzantines in 697. His name was Paoluccio Anafesto. The domination of Byzantium is much talked about but has little factual basis. However, the city was already established in 811 when it moved to Rivoalto, which is now called Rialto, from the islands around Torcello and Malamocco. Agnello Partecipazio was the doge at this time. The remains of St Mark were brought to the city in 829, rescued by two keen fishermen.

The city had more or less taken on its current appearance by the year 1000, when it was governed by Pietro Tribun. The ordination of power took place in 1177, when Alessandro III met with the Emperor Federico, to negotiate relations between the papacy, the council and the empire. However, in 1204 the situation changed when, after providing ships and equipment for the fourth crusade, Venice first received help to reconquer Zara. This unusual crusade started out to conquer Jerusalem, but ended up sharing out the remains of the Byzantine Empire; Venice won control of a huge part of the spoils. Thanks to a commercial policy that also set up a strict military stronghold, the territories became their rightful property.

Stability and Wealth

The state evolved with the decree of the Great Council in 1297. This act only permitted citizens to participate in the Council if their ancestors had served on it. As a result the number of nobles in power increased which guaranteed, in theory, that they would continue to hold power even if a rival faction took over. As a result, political struggles were poisoned by many private feuds. According to Bartolo da Sassoferrato, although it is true that the nobility were not much respected by the people, they had more respect than in other cities which were governed in the same way. The population mostly accepted their government, and, as there was such a large population, there were few internal divisions. The majority were reasonably well off, which meant that society was fairly stable.

Struggles with the Ligurian city of Genoa were a problem until a century later, in 1380, after the war of Chioggia. At this point it was no longer a military obstacle, and even though they now had control of the eastern routes only commercial rivalry remained.

The Beginning of the End

Events that took place around the middle of the fifteenth century would change the fate of the Mediterranean forever. The expansion on the mainland, and the conquest of a great part of Lombardy was the driving force in successive alliances to overthrow an overwhelming power, the first of which was the definitive fall of Constantinople to the Turks. The trade routes, which were the basis of the Italian states, became insecure, and mercantile trade started to decline. The final straw was the discovery of the American continent. The Mediterranean was on the brink of becoming a kind of lake under the threat of the Ottoman Empire. For many, it was the beginning of the end.

Changing Hands

Although Venice had a somewhat overrated victory at Lepanto, Cyprus fell and the loss of Crete in 1669 was the ultimate insult. Thirty years later, Venice regained possession of Morea for a period of 20 years. The Turkish wars ended in 1718 with the overwhelming victory of the Turks. Venice then enjoyed its last century of freedom under the rule of the nobility; in 1797, Napoleon handed it to Austria, after feigned negotiations. In 1805 he returned to Venice and completed the domination of the city. The industrial structures were knocked down and the city became a shadow of its former self. In 1848-9, it was invaded again by the Hapsburgs, and in 1866, it was united with the Kingdom of Italy.

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Rialto Bridge

Canal Grande Bridge

Grand Canal
Venice 30124
Italy

For a long time this was the only way to cross the Canal Grande. There was a bridge here at the end of the 12th Century, but the current one, designed by Antonio da Ponte, was built 1554-1591. There are now lots of shops on the bridge selling all kinds of souvenirs and curiosities. Fresh fruit, vegetable and fish markets line the streets in the bustling neighborhood. A second bridge was built in 1854, this bridge is still an important historical landmark and always a bright spot for tourists.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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St Mark's Basilica

Famous Basilicas San Marco 328
Piazza San Marco
Venice 30124
Italy
+39 41 522 5205 / +39 41 522 5697
http://www.basilicasanmarco.it/ Started in the 9th Century, this church's architecture shows an eastern and Byzantine influence: note the golden altarpiece and the 13th and 14th-century mosaics that illustrate the cycles of the Bible. The magnificent domes date from the 12th Century. The Basilica houses the Marciano Museum, which contains the original bronze horses, copies of which are now on the terrace. Admission to Basilica: Free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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