The Rich History of Venice, Italy

Venice, Italy (Venezia in Italian) is still one of the most interesting and lovely places in the world. This sanctuary on a lagoon is virtually the same as it was five hundred years ago, which adds to the fascinating character. Venice has certainly begun to decay since its heyday and is heavily touristed (there are slightly more tourists than residents) -- but the romantic charm remains.

Venice, Italy is a rich and interesting city with a lot of history and a lot to offer to visitors. It is perhaps most recognizable for the canals that provide the main form of transportation throughout the city. If you are making a trip to Italy, then you should definitely put aside some time to visit Venice. It’s a rewarding experience.

Venice is thought to have been established over 2000 years ago, when waves of barbarians drove people out of their homes in various Roman cities. They immigrated to the south and established homes in the area now known as Venice. As with any city, over the years it changed hands numerous times, and the main occupants were repeatedly driven out and replaced by new ones. Around years 800-1100 AD, Venice underwent a period of growth, and became more centralized. It gradually developed into a city state, which is essentially a self-governed region of a country that trades freely among others.

The Most Serene Republic of Venice dates back to 827, when a Byzantine dukedom moved its seat to what is now known as the Rialto, and for the following 970 years prospered on trade and under the rule of a Roman-style Senate headed by the Doge. Alas, in 1797 the city was conquered by Napoleon, a blow from which the city never recovered. The city was soon merged into Austria-Hungary, then ping-ponged back and forth between Austria and a nascent Italy, but Venice is still a monument to the glory days of the renaissance, and old culture still throbs powerfully in the old Italians veins.

The summer may be the worst time to visit: it's sometimes very hot, the canals sometimes stink (in the most literal sense), there are occasional infestations of flies, and there are more tourists than usual. Spring and fall are probably best, a compromise between temperature (expect 5-15°C in March) and the tourist load. Between November and January, you'll have Venice for you alone, an interesting and quiet experience. That said, if you've never been to Venice, it's better to go in summer than not to go. You won't regret it. Many cities are far worse in summer -- Venice has no cars, hence no smog.

Acqua alta (high water) has become a fact of life in Venice. The lagoon water level occasionally rises above the level of the plazas and streets, flooding them. This will happen several times a year, usually in the colder months. Acqua alta usually lasts a couple of hours. You'll see raised walkways in side alleys ready to be pulled out when acqua alta hits. When the city begins to flood, sirens will sound warning residents and businesses. If you speak fluent Italiano, tune into news programs since their predictions of the times the flood begins and ends are usually on the spot.

You can get an acqua alta map at the tourist offices either at the railway station or St Marks. This will show you the approved dry routes during the various flood alerts. There is a tide measuring station at the Rialto vaporetto piers, and a noticeboard at the base of the Campanile in the Piazza San Marco that shows a live tide reading and predictions for the next few days.

As Venice became a prominent player in the sea trade of the time, it was set upon by many different threats. Pirates became a huge problem. Fewer and fewer shipments were making it through the treacherous water. This is when the Republic of Venice decided to move their operations to the eastern shores. This allowed it to stay in the game and develop its economy even further.

When you think of Venice, the first thing that comes to mind are the canals, which are considered the trademark of the city. The city was originally built on giant wood piles.

The piles have been underwater for hundreds of years, but the modern buildings still rest on them. It is common knowledge now that Venice is gradually sinking into the water, or at least was for some period of time. In some houses, the original first floors are already submerged. When this happened, homeowners simply boarded up that section of the house and moved upstairs.

When you visit Venice, you can feel a rich aura of its history and culture. Floating through the canals for an afternoon makes for a memorable experience, and it’s one that any traveller should enjoy. So, plan your trip to Venice today, and witness it for yourself!