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Venice

1 - The city of Venice lies in northeastern Italy. For about 1,000 years, until 1797, it was the center of a state. This state was ruled by a few wealthy families, which is why it is known as an aristocratic republic. 2 - The head of state was the doge, who was elected through a complicated process. Trade was the source of the city’s wealth. Leading families had magnificent palaces built. The largest palace in Venice was the Doge’s Palace, home to the city’s ruler and administration. 3 - The bell tower, known in Italian as a campanile, is considered a symbol of the city. The Doge’s Palace and the campanile stand on the famous St. Mark’s Square. The square is also home to Venice Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Mark. In 828, sailors from Venice stole the remains of the Evangelist Mark from the Egyptian city of Alexandria and brought them to Venice. The images above the outer portals tell the story of how the saint’s remains came to Venice. Above the central arch is a golden relief of a winged lion. 4 - The center of Venice was built on 118 islands. They lie in what is known as the lagoon, a shallow area of the Mediterranean Sea. Canals run through the city; the longest is the Canale Grande, or Grand Canal. People travel by water taxi or use the vaporetti (water buses), as there are no cars in the city. Goods and building materials, as well as sick people, are transported by boat. 5 - Much of the city rests on millions of oak, larch, and elm pilings. Beneath the lagoon mud is solid clay, into which the pilings were driven. The tree trunks came from neighboring Istria. They were bound together with bands, oil, and tar. The gaps were filled with clay. Many bridges cross the canals. The Ponte di Rialto, or Rialto Bridge, is world-famous. 6 - Many homes can only be reached by boat. The city is also repeatedly hit by flooding. Sometimes even St. Mark’s Square is underwater. Venice is visited by many thousands of tourists every day. Some take gondola rides through the canals. Gondoliers are highly skilled at maneuvering their boats. 7 - Many visitors are drawn to the Biennale each year. Every two years, paintings and sculptures from many countries are exhibited. In the intervening years, architectural works designed by architects are displayed throughout the city. 8 - Alongside the many tourists, people still live in the city. They call themselves Venetians. The city has a total population of around 270,000 today, but only about 60,000 live in the historic center. 9 - Huge cruise ships sail into the port of Venice almost every day, bringing many visitors to the city. But there are also alleys and squares where you’ll find very few tourists and enjoy a wonderfully peaceful atmosphere.