|
BRIEF HISTORY OF VENICE
Venice
is the most famous city of the heavily industrialized Veneto region
that is located in northeastern Italy. It is
a city of major historical importance as it used to be one of the
most powerful medieval city-states.
Its economic and military
dominance of the Mediterranean territories was firm throughout the Middle Ages even though other city-states
such as Genoa and Dubrovnik came very close to unseating it from the
throne at some points in time.
The Venetian city-state was founded in the year of 697. The state was to
be organized as a republic led by an elected official whose official
title was Doge (Duke). Venice's sphere of
influence grew steadily. At one point in time, the territory that
was under its rule included northern Italy, Istra and Dalmatia
provinces (both of them
being regions in the modern day Croatia), and faraway islands such
as Cyprus and Crete.
It ruled those territories
with ruthless efficiency, always seeking to maximize the
plunder of natural resources. The Dalmatian natural resources were plundered to extreme.
The mountain Velebit that is situated in northern Dalmatia is a perfect example of such extreme
plundering. Once entirely covered with trees, Venice cut down every
one of them, and used the wood for construction of the city. The
mountain is bare to this day.
The might of
the Venetian military
fleet was legendary while the cunning diplomacy tactics that Venice
frequently employed probably inspired Machiavelli to some extent
when he wrote The Prince. Doge Dondolo's political maneuvers in the
year 1202 (during the Fourth Crusade) are particularly noteworthy.
His ability to
use the stranded Crusader army that Venice was contracted to
transport to Egypt to quell the rebellion of city Zara (Zadar) in
Dalmatia and obtain other important concessions was a pure stroke of political genius.
However,
Venice derived most of its strength from its huge merchant fleet.
Its ships traveled to the farthest ports of the Mediterranean,
and beyond. Expeditions to locate new markets and trade routes were
undertaken on regular basis.
Marco Polo's groundbreaking expedition
to China at the end of the 13th century is the most notable example
of the Venetian adventurous spirit. Such risk taking paid off
handsomely as Venetian merchants were able to profit from trading
exotic goods that were in high demand at that time.
Venice's importance
started to diminish slowly and surely after the discovery of America as most
of the important trade routes shifted to the west. Because of
geographical proximity, Spain and England were able to profit from
new trade routes much easier than Venice. The deterioration of
Venice's economic health soon followed.
Venice's existence as
an independent city-state was effectively ended when the French army under Napoleon's
command conquered it in 1797. The city was under the French rule for
another 17 years and when Napoleon's empire collapsed, the Habsburg
Empire assumed the rule. The city was to remain under such a
rule until 1866 when it became a part of the newly unified Italian
state.
Today, the city is a famous tourist resort, dazzling
countless tourists from all around the world with its unique
architecture and other historical treasures. Also, the world famous
Murano glass is made just outside Venice.
Glass products created by
Murano artisans have found their new homes in many places all over
the world thanks to their spectacular color and great complexity of
design. Learn more about its history by reading our History
of Murano glass guide.
Related pages:
Murano Glass Jewelry
home |
beaded jewelry |
learn |
search
| checkout
| help
| site map
| links
Copyright N & A Designs 2004 - All Rights Reserved
|
