Some of you are probably wondering "where in Italy is Venice?": Venice is located in the northeast coast of Italy. It is protected from the Adriatic Sea by a long strip of land composed by the Venice Lido, the Cavallino-Treporti Lido and the Jesolo Lido. The region around Venice is called the Veneto.

The Latin origin of the Venice island's name (Venetiae) suggests that the city was conceived as a set of islands close together.

These 118 islands are interconnected over time by more than 400 bridges and their urbanization has been made possible thanks to a consolidation of about 100,000 "palaffitte" and a stone roof. On each of them, a church was later built.

In ancient times the city of Venice has been divided into six districts, called "sestieri": Dorsoduro, Santa Croce, San Polo, San Marco, Cannaregio and Castello. The districts of Venice was found on the Canal Grande, the main water way of the city to which 150 smaller canals (called "rii") are connected to.

Among the major islands that surround the historic center of Venice, we can remember: Murano, famous for its glass, Burano, known for its lace its unique and colorful houses, Torcello, with its Basilica, the archaeological site and the first settlement in the lagoon and the Venice Lido with its beaches, famous for the film festival.

The first three islands, namely Murano, Burano and Torcello can be reached by following the same route: you can find all the information on how to visit them on the page "how to get to Burano".

Venice was founded in the fifth century A.D. by the inhabitants of Aquileia fled the barbarian invasions. The fame of this island grew during the subjugation to Byzantium, to the point that in 697 is even set up an official, the Doge, a figure which later became the head of the Serenissima Republic.

The island knew the independence and the autonomy as a political capital of the Serenissima Republic in 1420, after a succession of cheeks, bizzantine and Lombard rulers; also its name changed from the Rialto to Venice. From this moment on Venice is destined to become the most famous of the four Maritime Republics.

Already in 1340 the city reaches 110,000 people, becoming on of the most populous cities in Europe. A few years later, in 1348, the Black Death reduces by half the population, the subsequent recovery is made possible thanks to a massive influx of immigrants from the hinterland, which determines changes in the economic base (strong expansion of crafts and manufacturing) and intensifies economic and social relations at the regional scale.

In Venice you will find all the most important and profitable activities of that era: shipyards, weapons, silk processing, glass, but also glasses, mirrors, cosmetics.

The grand cultural opening to new markets has made Venice one of the major European powers, and the cultural center for the whole continent, not becoming ever a princely dominion neither a monarchy, but always remaining a Republic (eve if an aristocratic republic).

Its official language were Latin, Venetian and Italian (then Florence).

Invaded by the French on the 16th May 1797, Venice passed under the control of the Austrians on the 17th October of that year: this is the date of the Campo Formio's Treaty, by which Veneto, Friuli, Istria, Dalmatia Cattaro and the Ionian Islands are ceded to Austria.

On the 9th of June 1815, thanks to the Congress of Vienna, Venice passes to the Kingdom of Lombardy-Veneto, where he became one of the two capitals. In this period the island take part in the Risorgimento: protesting against the Austrians who were retreated on the 17th of March 1848. On this occasion Daniele Manin and Niccolò Tommaseo are released and the Serenissima Republic is proclaimed again, headed by a triumvirate.

Again attacked in 1849 by Austria, Venice resisted for four months to a long siege, surrendering just on the 18th of August, due to starvation and a cholera epidemic. In 1866, after the Third War of Independence, Venice was finally annexed to the Kingdom of Italy.

The "Piazza San Marco" is the unique square in Venice. Considered by many as the most beautiful square of the world because of its many decorations in the Renaissance arcades and in the buildings surrounding it, the San Marco's Square in reality goes back to medieval times, reaching the current extension as early as the XII century.

Venice Accommodation

We hope to please suggesting some facilities such as hotels, inns and bed & breakfast in Venice in order to help you find accommodation or rooms in Venice or nearby. Try out our Venice accommodation deals finder.

Eating out in Venice

Any suggestions about where eating out can never do harm, too. We tried to make a selection of the best restaurants, pizzerias and wine bars typical of Venice

Where to buy local handicraft products around Venice

In the globalized market has become very difficult to buy local crafts in places that you go to visit. Let us, therefore, to suggest the reliable shops where you can buy the authentic pieces and not imported.