Venice has the distinction of NOT
being an ancient Roman civilization. It was not founded
until 811 A.D, when its original inhabitants were
fleeing from the Franks. They settled on the Rivo
Alto, today known as the Rialto. That same year Agnello
Partecipazio was elected as the first Doge
and the Venetian Republic was begun. For the next
1,000 years Venezia would undergo a period, known
by it people as "La Serenissima",
an independent republic. In 828 A.D. just a few years
after its birth the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist
were brought from Alexandria, and he was dubbed the
patron saint and protector of the town.
With its unique position this newfound
town quickly began to grow into a powerful city. For
the next 400 years, from the 9th century
to the 13th century, Venezia used its maritime
influence and might to conquer surrounding areas.
In 1204 with the help of the Crusaders, the Venetian
Empire captured the capital city of Constantinople.
The power of the Empire was beginning as the city
of Venezia had an exclusive outlet to trade with Eastern
Europe. It was also about this time that Venezia's
favorite son, Marco Polo, returned from his trip to
China.
In the year 1381 Venezia was reaching
its peak when it defeated its rival Genova to gain
supremacy as the main port city. The Venetian Empire
ruled from the Greek Islands of Crete to the city
of Bergamo. They struggled with the Turks for control
in the late 15th century and in the 16th
century the Turks took control of the Island of Crete
and the decline began. Slowly the area of the Venetian
Empire began to shrink. Finally in 1797 Napoleon entered
the city and the 1,000-year "Serenissima"
was abolished. He later ceded the city to Austria.
In 1866 Venezia and the region of Veneto were united
with the new Kingdom of Italy under the Risorgimento
and Vittorio Emanuelle II in 1866.
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