Venice
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robot Adding: [[az:Venesiya]]
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{{Infobox CityIT
| image_skyline = Venice centre.jpg
| image_caption = Venice city centre
| img_coa = Venezia-Stemma.png
| official_name = Comune di Venezia
| region = [[Veneto]]
| province = [[province of Venice|Venice]] (VE)
| elevation_m = 0
| area_total_km2 = 412
| population_as_of = [[January 1]] [[2004]]
| population_total = 271251
| population_density_km2 = 646
| timezone = [[Central European Time|CET]], [[Coordinated Universal Time|UTC]]+1
| coordinates = {{coord|45|26|N|12|19|E|region:IT-VE_Type:city(270000)|display=inline,title}}
| frazioni = Chirignago, Favaro Veneto, [[Mestre]], [[Marghera]], [[Murano]], [[Burano]], [[Giudecca]], [[Lido]], Zelarino
| telephone = 041
| postalcode = 30100
| gentilic = Veneziani
| saint = [[Mark the Evangelist|St. Mark the Evangelist]]
| day = [[April 25]]
| mayor = [[Massimo Cacciari]] <small>(since [[April 18]] [[2005]])</small>
| website = [http://www.comune.venezia.it/ www.comune.venezia.it]
}}
{{Infobox World Heritage Site
|Name = Venice and its Lagoon
|Image = [[Image:Venezia 2004.jpg|250px|Venice in summer, with the Rialto Bridge in the background.]]
|State Party = {{ITA}}
|Type = Cultural
|Criteria = i, ii, iii, iv, v, vi
|ID = 394
|Region = [[List of World Heritage Sites in Europe|Europe and North America]]
|Year = 1987
|Session = 11th
|Link = http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/394
}}
'''Venice''' ([[Italian language|Italian]]: ''Venezia'', [[Venetian language|Venetian]]: ''Venezsia'') is a city in [[northern Italy]], the [[capital city|capital]] of [[Italian regions|region]] [[Veneto]], and has a population of 271,251 (census estimate [[January 1]], [[2004]]). Together with [[Padua, Italy|Padua]], the city is included in the Padua-Venice Metropolitan Area (population 1,600,000). Venice has been known as the "La Dominante", "Serenissima", "Queen of the Adriatic", "City of Water", "City of Bridges", and "The City of Light". It is considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world<ref>[http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=950CE5DD1038F933A05756C0A964948260&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=2 THE MOST BEAUTIFUL CITY IN THE WORLD - The New York Times]</ref>.
The city stretches across 118 small islands in the marshy [[Venetian Lagoon]] along the [[Adriatic Sea]] in northeast [[Italy]]. The saltwater lagoon stretches along the shoreline between the mouths of the [[Po River|Po]] (south) and the [[Piave River|Piave]] (north) Rivers. The population estimate of 272,000 inhabitants includes the population of the whole [[Comune]] of Venezia; around 62,000 in the historic city of Venice (''Centro storico''); 176,000 in ''Terraferma'' (the ''Mainland''), mostly in the large ''[[frazione]]'' of [[Mestre]] and [[Marghera]]; and 31,000 live on other islands in the lagoon.
The [[Venetian Republic]] was a major maritime power during the [[Middle Ages]] and [[Renaissance]], and a [[staging area]] for the [[Crusades]] and the [[Battle of Lepanto]], as well as a very important center of commerce (especially [[silk]], [[grain]] and [[spice trade]]) and [[art]] in the 13th century up to the end of the 17th century.
==History==
{{Main|Republic of Venice}}
===Origins and history===
[[Image:Leguna Veneta.png|thumb|250px|left|Location of Venice in Italy and the Venetian Lagoon]]
While there are no historical records that deal directly with the origins of Venice, the available evidence has led several historians to agree that the original population of Venice comprised refugees from Roman cities such as [[Padua]], [[Aquileia]], [[Altino]] and Concordia (modern [[Portogruaro]]) who were fleeing successive waves of [[Germanic peoples|Germanic invasions]].<ref>Bosio, ''Le origini di Venezia''</ref>
Starting in 166-168, the [[Quadi]] and [[Marcomanni]] destroyed the main center in the area, the current [[Oderzo]]. The Roman defenses were again overthrown in the early 5th century by the [[Visigoths]] and, some 50 years later, by the [[Huns]] led by [[Attila]]. The last and most enduring inruption was that of the [[Lombards]] in 568. This left the [[Eastern Roman Empire]] a small strip of coast in current Veneto, and the main administrative and religious entities were therefore transferred to this remaining dominion. New ports were built, including those at Malamocco and Torcello in the Venetian lagoon.
The Byzantine domination of central and northern Italy was subsequently largely eliminated by the conquest of the [[Exarchate of Ravenna]] in 751 by Aistulf. During this period, the seat of the local Byzantine governor (the "duke/doux", later "[[Doge of Venice|doge]]") was situated in Malamocco. Settlement across the islands in the lagoon probably increased in correspondence with the Lombard conquest of the Byzantine territories.
In 775-776, the bishopric seat of Olivolo (Helipolis) was created. During the reign of duke [[Agnello Particiaco]] (811-827) the ducal seat was moved from Malamocco to the highly protected Rialto (Rivoalto, "High Shore") island, the current location of Venice. The monastery of St. Zachary and the first ducal palace and basilica of St. Mark, as well as a walled defense (civitatis murus) between Olivolo and Rialto were subsequently built here.
In 828, the new city's prestige was raised by the liberation of the relics of [[St. Mark the Evangelist]] from Alexandria, which were placed in the new basilica. The patriarchal seat was also moved to Rialto. As the community continued to develop and as Byzantine power waned, it led to the growth of autonomy and eventual independence.
[[Image:P1060341.JPG|thumb|[[Piazza San Marco]] in Venice.]]
[[Image:San Marco horses.jpg|thumb|These [[Horses of Saint Mark]] are a replica of the ''Triumphal Quadriga'' captured in Constantinople in 1204 and carried to Venice as a trophy]]
===Expansion===
From the ninth to the twelfth century Venice developed into a [[city state]] (an Italian [[thalassocracy]] or ''[[Repubbliche Marinare|Repubblica Marinara]]'', the other three being [[Genoa]], [[Pisa]], and [[Amalfi]]). Its strategic position at the head of the Adriatic made Venetian naval and commercial power almost invulnerable. The city became a flourishing trade center between Western Europe and the rest of the world (especially the [[Byzantine Empire]] and the [[Islamic world]]).
In the [[12th century]] the foundations of Venice's power were laid: the [[Venetian Arsenal]] was under construction in 1104; Venice wrested control of the [[Brenner Pass]] from [[Verona]] in 1178, opening a lifeline to silver from [[Germany]]; the last autocratic doge, Vitale Michiele, died in 1172.
The [[Republic of Venice]] seized a number of locations on the eastern shores of the Adriatic before 1200, mostly for commercial reasons, because [[pirate]]s based there were a menace to trade. The Doge already carried the titles of Duke of [[Dalmatia]] and Duke of [[Istria]]. Later mainland possessions, which extended across [[Lake Garda]] as far west as the [[Adda River]], were known as the "Terraferma", and were acquired partly as a buffer against belligerent neighbours, partly to guarantee [[Alps|Alpine]] trade routes, and partly to ensure the supply of mainland [[wheat]], on which the city depended. In building its maritime commercial empire, the Republic acquired control of most of the islands in the [[Aegean Sea|Aegean]], including [[Cyprus]] and [[Crete]], and became a major power-broker in the [[Near East]]. By the standards of the time, Venice's stewardship of its mainland territories was relatively enlightened and the citizens of such towns as [[Bergamo]], [[Brescia]] and [[Verona, Italy|Verona]] rallied to the defence of Venetian sovereignty when it was threatened by invaders.
Venice remained closely associated with Byzantium, being twice granted trading privileges in the Empire, through the co-called [[Golden Bull]]s or 'chrysobuls' in return for aiding the Eastern Empire resist Norman and Turkish incursions. In the first Venice acknowledged its homage to the Empire but not in the second, reflecting the decline of Byzantium and the rise of Venice's power.<ref>Herrin, Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire, Penguin, Harmondsworth, ISBN 9780141031026</ref><ref>http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?ParagraphID=fqa</ref>
Venice became an imperial power following the [[Fourth Crusade]], which seized [[Constantinople]] in 1204 and established the [[Latin Empire]]; Venice herself carved out a sphere of influence known as the [[Duchy of the Archipelago]]. This seizure of [[Constantinople]] would ultimately prove as decisive a factor in ending the [[Byzantine Empire]] as the loss of the [[Anatolia]]n [[Theme (Byzantine administrative unit)|themes]] after [[Battle of Manzikert|Manzikert]]. Though the Byzantines recovered control of the ravaged city a half century later, the Byzantine Empire was greatly weakened, and existed as a ghost of its old self, struggling on with the help, among other things, of loans from Venice (never repaid) until [[Sultan Mehmet The Conqueror]] took the city in 1453. Considerable Byzantine plunder was brought back to Venice, including the gilt bronze horses which were placed above the entrance to St Mark's cathedral.
[[Image:venice09.jpg|thumb|left|View of [[San Giorgio Maggiore|San Giorgio Maggiore Island]] from [[St. Mark's Campanile]]]]
Situated on the Adriatic Sea, Venice traded with the [[Byzantine Empire]] and the [[Muslim world]] extensively. By the late thirteenth century, Venice was the most prosperous city in all of Europe. At the peak of its power and wealth, it had 36,000 sailors operating 3,300 ships, dominating Mediterranean commerce. During this time, Venice's leading families vied with each other to build the grandest palaces and support the work of the greatest and most talented artists. The city was governed by the Great Council, which was made up of members of the most influential families in Venice. The Great Council appointed all public officials and elected a Senate of 200 to 300 individuals. The Senate then chose the Council of Ten, a secretive group which held the utmost power in the administration of the city. One member of the great council was elected "[[doges of Venice|Doge]]", or duke, the ceremonial head of the city, who held the title until his death.
The Venetian governmental structure was similar in some ways to the republican system of ancient Rome, with an elected executive power (the Doge), a senate-like assembly of nobles, and a mass of citizens with limited political power, who originally had the power to grant or withhold their approval of each newly elected Doge. Church and various private properties were tied to military service, though there was no [[knight tenure]] within the city itself. The ''[[Cavalieri di San Marco]]'' was the only order of [[chivalry]] ever instituted in Venice, and no citizen could accept or join a foreign order without the government's consent. Venice remained a republic throughout its independent period and politics and the military were kept completely separate, except when on occasion the Doge personally led the military. War was regarded as a continuation of commerce by other means (hence, the city's early production of large numbers of mercenaries for service elsewhere, and later its reliance on foreign mercenaries when the ruling class was preoccupied with commerce).
[[Image:Venice 49.jpg|thumb|Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo.]]
The chief executive was the [[doges of Venice|Doge]] (duke), who, theoretically, held his elective office for life. In practice, a number of Doges were forced by pressure from their [[oligarchy|oligarchical]] peers to resign the office and retire into [[monastery|monastic]] seclusion when they were felt to have been discredited by perceived political failure.
Though the people of Venice generally remained orthodox [[Roman Catholicism|Roman Catholics]], the state of Venice was notable for its freedom from religious fanaticism and it enacted not a single execution for religious heresy during the [[Counter-Reformation]]. This apparent lack of zeal contributed to Venice's frequent conflicts with the [[Papacy]]. Venice was threatened with the [[Interdict (Roman Catholic Church)|interdict]] on a number of occasions and twice suffered its imposition. The second, most famous, occasion was on [[April 27]], [[1509]], by order of [[Pope Julius II]] (see [[League of Cambrai]]).
Venetian ambassadors sent home still-extant secret reports of the politics and rumours of European courts, providing fascinating information to modern historians.
===Venice’s Decline===
Venice’s long decline started in the [[15th century]], when she first made an unsuccessful attempt to maintain Thessalonica against the Ottomans (1423-1430). She also sent ships to help defend Byzantine Constantinople against the besieging Turks (1453). After the city fell to Sultan Mehmet II he declared war on Venice. It lasted thirty years and cost Venice much of her eastern Mediterranean possessions. Next, Spain discovered the New World. Then Portugal found a sea route to India, destroying Venice’s land route monopoly. France, England and Holland followed them. Venice’s oared galleys could not traverse the great oceans. She was left behind in the race for colonies.
The [[Black Death]] devastated Venice in 1348 and once again between 1575 and 1577.<ref>[]</ref> In three years the [[Plague (disease)|plague]] killed some 50,000 people.<ref>[http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/preparedness/bt_public_history_plague.shtm History of Plague]</ref> In 1630, the plague killed a third of Venice's 150,000 citizens.<ref>[http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/santa_maria_della_salute.htm Santa Maria della Salute Church]</ref> Venice began to lose its position as a center of [[History of international trade|international trade]] during the later part of the [[Renaissance]] as [[Portugal]] became Europe's principal intermediary in the trade with the East, striking at the very foundation of Venice's great wealth, while [[France]] and [[Spain]] fought for [[hegemony]] over Italy in the [[Italian Wars]], marginalising her political influence. However, the Venetian empire was a major exporter of agricultural products and, until the mid-18th century, a significant [[manufacturing]] center.
===Military and naval affairs===
[[Image:Wenecja gondole.JPG|thumb|Several gondolas docked in Venice]]
[[Image:Gondola in canal.jpg|thumb|Gondolas in Venice]]
[[Image:gondola.arp.750pix.jpg|thumb|Gondola on Grand Canal beside Rialto Bridge]]
By 1303, crossbow practice had become compulsory in the city, with citizens training in groups. As weapons became more expensive and complex to operate, professional soldiers were assigned to help work merchant sailing ships and as rowers in galleys. The company of "Noble Bowmen" was recruited in the later 14th century from among the younger [[aristocracy]] and served aboard both war-galleys and as armed merchantmen, with the privilege of sharing the captain's cabin.
Though Venice was famous for its [[navy]], its [[army]] was equally effective. In the 13th century, most Italian city states already were hiring [[mercenary|mercenaries]], but Venetian troops were still recruited from the lagoon, plus feudal levies from Dalmatia (the very famous ''Schiavoni'' or ''Oltremarini'')<ref>[http://www.schiavoni.org/Storia.html Italian site about ''Schiavoni'']</ref> and Istria. In times of emergency, all males between seventeen and sixty years were registered and their weapons were surveyed, with those called to actually fight being organized into companies of twelve. The register of 1338 estimated that 30,000 Venetian men were capable of bearing arms; many of these were skilled crossbowmen. As in other Italian cities, aristocrats and other wealthy men were [[cavalry]]men while the city's conscripts fought as [[infantry]].
By 1450, more than 3,000 Venetian merchant ships were in operation, and most of these could be converted when necessary into either warships or transports. The government required each merchant ship to carry a specified number of weapons (mostly [[crossbow]]s and [[Pilum|javelin]]s) and [[armour]]; merchant passengers were also expected to be armed and to fight when necessary. A reserve of some 25 (later 100) [[galley|war-galleys]] was maintained in the [[Venice Arsenal|Arsenal]]. Galley [[slavery|slaves]] did not exist in medieval Venice, the oarsmen coming from the city itself or from its possessions, especially Dalmatia. Those from the city were chosen by lot from each parish, their families being supported by the remainder of the parish while the rowers were away. [[Debt]]ors generally worked off their obligations rowing the galleys. Rowing skills were encouraged through races and [[regatta]]s.
Early in the 15th century, as new mainland territories were expanded, the first standing army was organized, consisting of ''[[condottieri]]'' on contract. In its alliance with [[Florence]] in 1426, Venice agreed to supply 8,000 cavalry and 3,000 infantry in time of war, and 3,000 and 1,000 in peacetime. Later in that century, uniforms were adopted that featured red-and-white stripes, and a system of honors and pensions developed. Throughout the 15th century, Venetian land forces were almost always on the offensive and were regarded as the most effective in Italy, largely because of the tradition of all classes carrying arms in defense of the city and official encouragement of general military training.
The command structure in the army was different from that in the fleet. By ancient law, no nobleman could command more than twenty-five men (to prevent against [[sedition]] by private armies), and while the position of Captain General was introduced in the mid-14th century, he still had to answer to a civilian panel of twenty Savi or "wise men". Not only was efficiency ''not'' degraded, this policy saved Venice from the military takeovers that other Italian [[city states]] so often experienced. A civilian commissioner (not unlike a [[commissar]]) accompanied each army to keep an eye on things, especially the mercenaries. The Venetian military tradition also was notably cautious; they were more interested in achieving success with a minimum expense of lives and money than in the pursuit of glory.
===Modern Venice===
[[Image:Venezia-map 1-1220x900.png|thumb|250px|A map of the historical heart of Venice]]
After 1070 years, the Republic lost its independence when [[Napoleon Bonaparte]] on [[May 12]], [[1797]], conquered Venice during the [[First Coalition]]. The [[France|French]] conqueror brought to an end the most fascinating century of its history: It was during the ''[[Settecento]]'' (1700s) that Venice became perhaps the most elegant and refined city in Europe, greatly influencing [[art]], [[architecture]], and [[literature]]. Napoleon was seen as something of a liberator by the city's [[Jew]]ish population, although it can be argued they had lived with fewer restrictions in Venice. He removed the gates of the [[Venetian Ghetto|Ghetto]] and ended the restrictions on when and where Jews could live and travel in the city.
Venice became Austrian territory when Napoleon signed the [[Treaty of Campo Formio]] on [[October 12]], [[1797]]. The [[Austria]]ns took control of the city on [[January 18]], [[1798]]. It was taken from Austria by the [[Treaty of Pressburg]] in 1805 and became part of Napoleon's [[Kingdom of Italy (Napoleonic)|Kingdom of Italy]], but was returned to Austria following Napoleon's defeat in 1814, when it became part of the Austrian-held [[Kingdom of Lombardy-Venetia]]. In 1848-1849 a revolt briefly reestablished the Venetian Republic under [[Daniele Manin]]. In 1866, following the [[Austro-Prussian War|Seven Weeks War]], Venice, along with the rest of Venetia, became part of Italy.
After 1797, the city fell into a serious decline, with many of the old palaces and other buildings abandoned and falling into disrepair, although the [[Lido]] became a popular beach resort in the late 19th century.
==Climate==
{{Venice weatherbox}}
==Transportation==
[[Image:Venedig Seufzerbrücke.jpg|thumb|The [[Ponte dei Sospiri]], the [[Bridge of Sighs]]]]
Venice is world-famous for its [[canal]]s. It is built on an [[archipelago]] of 118 islands formed by about 150 canals in a shallow [[lagoon]]. The islands on which the city is built are connected by about 400 bridges. In the old center, the canals serve the function of roads, and every form of [[transport]] is on water or on foot. In the 19th century a causeway to the mainland brought a [[railway]] station to Venice, and an [[automobile]] causeway and parking lot was added in the 20th century. Beyond these land entrances at the northern edge of the city, transportation within the city remains, as it was in centuries past, entirely on water or on foot. Venice is Europe's largest urban [[Auto-free zones|car free area]], unique in Europe in remaining a sizable functioning city in the 21st century entirely without motorcars or trucks.
===Waterways===
The classical Venetian boat is the [[gondola]], although it is now mostly used for tourists, or for weddings, funerals, or other ceremonies. Most Venetians now travel by motorised waterbuses (''vaporetti'') which ply regular routes along the major canals and between the city's islands. The city also has many private boats. The only gondolas still in common use by Venetians are the ''traghetti'', foot passenger [[ferry|ferries]] crossing the [[Grand Canal of Venice|Grand Canal]] at certain points without bridges.
Visitors can also take the watertaxis between areas of the city.
===Public transportation===
Azienda Consorzio Trasporti Veneziano (ACTV) is the name of the public transport system in Venice. It combines both land transportation, with buses, and canal travel, with water buses (vaporetti). In total, there are 25 routes which connect the city.
===Airports ===
Venice is served by the newly rebuilt [[Marco Polo International Airport]], or ''Aeroporto di Venezia Marco Polo'', named in honor of its famous citizen. The airport is on the mainland and was rebuilt away from the coast, however the water taxis or Alilaguna waterbus' to Venice are only a seven minute walk from the terminals.
Some airlines market [[Treviso Airport]] in [[Treviso]], 20km from Venice, as a Venice gateway. Some simply advertise flights to "Venice" without naming the actual airport except in the small print.<ref>[http://wizzair.com/default.asp?slid=clear&language=EN Home Page]", ''[[Wizz Air]]''</ref>
===Car===
Venice is no place for cars, being built on the water. Cars can reach the car/bus terminal via the bridge (Ponte della Liberta) (SR11). It comes in from the West from Mestre. There are two parking lots which serve the city: Tronchetto and Piazzale Roma. Cars can be parked there 24hrs/7days a week for around 25 euros per day. From Tranchetto parking lot leaves a ferry to Lido. Tronchetto is served by vaporetti and buses of the public transportation. Currently, a people mover linking Tronchetto to Piazzale Roma is under construction. Expected time of opening is unknown.
[[Image:venice01.jpg|thumb|center|700px|View of Venice from [[St Mark's Campanile]]]]
==Landmarks==
<!--KEEP THIS STANDARD FORMAT PLEASE... FOR EXAMPLE, GUGGENHEIM COLLECTION IS NOT A "LANDMARK"!!!-->
[[Image:Wenecja Canal Grande.JPG|thumb|Grand Canal]]
[[Image:Small canal - Venice.jpg|thumb|A small canal in Venice (Rio della Verona)]]
[[Image:Grand Canal.JPG|thumb|A winter sunset across the Grand Canal from the Rialto Bridge]]
[[Image:Piazza san marco.jpg|thumb|Piazza San Marco and its famous pigeons]]
===Sestieri===
The [[sestiere (Venice)|sestieri]] are the primary traditional divisions of Venice. The city is divided into the six districts of [[Cannaregio]], [[San Polo]], [[Dorsoduro]] (including the [[Giudecca]]), [[Santa Croce]], [[San Marco (sestiere of Venice)|San Marco]] (including [[San Giorgio Maggiore]]), and [[Castello, Venice|Castello]] (including [[San Pietro di Castello]] and [[Sant'Elena]]). At the front of the [[Gondola]]s that work in the city there is a large piece of metal intended as a likeness of the Doge's hat. On this sit six notches pointing forwards and one pointing backwards. Each of these represent one of the Sestieri (the one which points backwards represents the [[Giudecca]]).
===Piazzas and campi===
*[[St Mark's Square]]
*[[Campo San Polo]]
===Palaces and palazzi===
*[[Doge's Palace]]
*[[Palazzo Grassi]]
*[[Ca' d'Oro]]
*[[Ca' Rezzonico]]
*[[Peggy Guggenheim Collection]]
*[[Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo]]
*[[Fondaco dei Turchi]]
*[[Palazzo Labia]]
*[[Scuola Grande di San Marco]]
*[[Palazzo Malipiero]]
*[[Palazzo Foscari]]
===Churches===
*[[San Marco di Venezia|Basilica di San Marco]]
*[[Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute]]
*[[List of Venetian churches|Other churches]]
===Other buildings===
*[[Accademia]]
*[[Venetian Arsenal|The Arsenal]]
*[[La Fenice]] [[opera house]]
*[[St Mark's Clock|La Torre dell'Orologio (St Mark's Clock)]]
===Bridges and canals===
*[[Rialto Bridge]]
*[[The Bridge of Sighs]]
*[[Ponte dell'Accademia|Accademia Bridge]]
*[[Ponte degli Scalzi|Scalzi Bridge]]
*[[Piazzale Roma Footbridge]]
===Surroundings===
*The [[Venetian Lagoon]]
*Islands:
**[[Burano]]
**[[Lazzaretto Vecchio]]
**[[Lido]]
**[[Mazzorbo]]
**[[Murano]]
**[[Mioldalni]]
**[[Isola di La Grazia]]
**[[Isola Di San Michele|San Michele]]
**[[Isola Di San Secondo]]
**[[Sacca Sessola]]
**[[Sant'Erasmo]]
**[[Isola Di San Clemente]]
**[[San Francesco nel Deserto]]
**[[San Giorgio in Alga]]
**[[San Giorgio Maggiore]]
**[[San Lazzaro degli Armeni]]
**[[San Servolo]]
**[[Santo Spirito]]
**[[Torcello]]
**[[Vignole]]
*[[Giudecca]]
===Venetian Villas===
{{Main|Palladian Villas of the Veneto}}
The villas of the Veneto, rural residences for nobles during the Republic, are one of the most interesting aspects of Venetian countryside. They are surrounded by elegant gardens, suitable for fashionable parties of high society. Most of these villas were designed by [[Palladio]], and are now a [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage Site]]. According to the architects, water around the villas was a very important architectural element because it added more brilliance to the façade.
==Demographics==
In 2007, there were 268,993 people residing in Venice, located in the province of Venice, [[Veneto]], of whom 47.5% were male and 52.5% were female. Minors (children ages 18 and younger) totalled 14.36 percent of the population compared to pensioners who number 25.7 percent. This compares with the Italian average of 18.06 percent (minors) and 19.94 percent (pensioners). The average age of Venice residents is 46 compared to the Italian average of 42. In the five years between 2002 and 2007, the population of Venice declined by 0.2 percent, while [[Italy]] as a whole grew by 3.85 percent.[http://demo.istat.it/bil2007/index.html]
As of 2006, 93.70% of the population was [[Italian people|Italian]]. The largest immigrant group comes from other [[European]] nations (the largest group being [[Romanians]]): 3.26%, [[South Asia]]: 1.26%, and [[East Asia]]: 0.9%. Venice is predominantly [[Roman Catholic]], but due to immigration now has some [[Orthodox Christian]], [[Muslim]], [[Hindu]] and [[Buddhist]] observers.
==Sinking of Venice==
[[Image:Venezia acqua alta notte 2005 modificata.jpg|thumb|[[High water]] in Venice]]
[[Image:venice.longshot.981pix.jpg|thumb|Venice and surroundings in false color, from TERRA satellite. The picture is oriented with North at the top]]
The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced [[wood]] [[Deep foundation|pile]]s, which were imported from the mainland. (Under water, in the absence of oxygen, wood does not [[Decomposition|decay]].) The piles penetrate alternating layers of [[clay]] and [[sand]]. Wood for piles was cut in the most western part of today's [[Slovenia]], resulting in the barren land in a region today called [[Kras]], and in two regions of Croatia, [[Lika]] and [[Gorski kotar]] (resulting in the barren slopes of [[Velebit]]). Most of these piles are still intact after centuries of submersion. The foundations rest on the piles, and buildings of brick or [[Rock (geology)|stone]] sit above these footings. The buildings are often threatened by flood [[tide]]s pushing in from the [[Adriatic Sea|Adriatic]] between autumn and early spring.
Six hundred years ago, Venetians protected themselves from land-based attacks by diverting all the major rivers flowing into the lagoon and thus preventing sediment from filling the area around the city. This created an ever-deeper lagoon environment.
During the 20th century, when many [[Artesian aquifer|artesian well]]s were sunk into the periphery of the lagoon to draw water for local industry, Venice began to [[subsidence|subside]]. It was realized that extraction of the [[aquifer]] was the cause. This sinking process has slowed markedly since artesian wells were banned in the 1960s. However, the city is still threatened by more frequent low-level floods (so-called ''Acqua alta'', "high water") that creep to a height of several centimeters over its quays, regularly following certain tides. In many old houses the former staircases used by people to unload goods are now flooded, rendering the former ground floor uninhabitable. Many Venetians have resorted to moving up to the upper floors and continuing with their lives.
Some recent studies have suggested that the city is no longer sinking,<ref>{{cite journal |last = |first = |authorlink = |coauthors = |title = Technology: Venetians put barrage to the test against the Adriatic |journal = |volume = |issue = 1660 | pages = |publisher = [[New Scientist]] magazine |date = 1989-04-15 |url = http://media.newscientist.com/article/mg12216602.900-technology-venetians-put-barrage-to-the-test-against-theadriatic-.html |doi = |id = |accessdate = 2007-10-10}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title = Venice's 1,500-year battle with the waves |work = |publisher = [[BBC News]] |date = 2003-07-17 |url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/3069305.stm |accessdate = 2007-10-10}}</ref> but this is not yet certain; therefore, a state of alert has not been revoked. In May 2003 the Italian Prime Minister [[Silvio Berlusconi]] inaugurated the [[MOSE project]] (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico), an experimental model for evaluating the performance of inflatable gates; the idea is to lay a series of 79 inflatable [[Pontoon (boat)|pontoon]]s across the sea bed at the three entrances to the lagoon. When tides are predicted to rise above 110 [[centimetre]]s, the pontoons will be filled with air and block the incoming water from the Adriatic sea. This engineering work is due to be completed by 2011.
Some experts say that the best way to protect Venice is to physically lift the City to a greater height above sea level, by pumping water into the soil underneath the city.<ref>[http://mb-soft.com/public2/venice.html Keeping Venice from Sinking into the Sea]</ref> This way, some hope, it could rise above sea levels, protecting it for hundreds of years, and eventually the MOSE project may not be necessary (it will, controversially, alter the tidal patterns in the lagoon, damaging some wildlife). A further point about the "lifting" system would be that it would be permanent; the MOSE Project is, by its very nature, a temporary system: it is expected to protect Venice for only 100 years.
In 1604, to defray the cost of flood relief Venice introduced what could be considered the first example of what became elsewhere a '[[stamp tax]]'. When the revenue fell short of expectations in 1608 Venice introduced paper with the superscription 'AQ' and imprinted instructions which was to be used for 'letters to officials'. Initially this was to be a temporary tax but in fact remained in effect to the fall of the Republic in 1797. Shortly after the introduction of the tax Spain produced similar paper for more general taxation purposes and the practice spread to other countries.
==Culture==
{{see also|Venice in media}}
[[Image:Mascaras carnaval.jpg|thumb|Typical masks worn during the [[Carnival of Venice]]]]
In the 14th century, many young Venetian men began wearing tight-fitting multicoloured hose, the designs on which indicated the Compagnie della Calza ("Trouser Club") to which they belonged. The [[Venetian Senate|Senate]] passed [[sumptuary law]]s, but these merely resulted in changes in fashion in order to circumvent the law. Dull garments were worn over colourful ones, which then were cut to show the hidden colours — which resulted in the wide spread of men's "slashed" fashions in the 15th century.
During the 16th century, Venice became one of the most important musical centers of Europe, marked by a characteristic style of composition (the [[Venetian school]]) and the development of the [[Venetian polychoral style]] under composers such as [[Adrian Willaert]], who worked at [[San Marco di Venezia|San Marco]]. Venice was the early center of music printing; [[Ottaviano Petrucci]] began publishing music almost as soon as this technology was available, and his publishing enterprise helped to attract composers from all over Europe, especially from [[France]] and [[Flanders]]. By the end of the century, Venice was famous for the splendor of its music, as exemplified in the "colossal style" of [[Andrea Gabrieli|Andrea]] and [[Giovanni Gabrieli]], which used multiple choruses and instrumental groups.
By the end of the 15th century, Venice had become the European capital of printing, being one of the first cities in Italy (after Subiaco and Rome) to have a printing press after those established in Germany, by 1500 having 417 printers. The most important printing office was the [[Aldine Press]] of [[Aldus Manutius]], which in the 1499 printed the [[Hypnerotomachia Poliphili]], considered the most beautiful book of [[Renaissance]], and established the modern [[punctuation]], page format and [[italic type]], and he first printed the work of [[Aristotle]].
[[Canvas]]es (the common painting surface) originated in Venice during the early renaissance. These early canvases were generally rough.
===Festivals===
The Venice Art Biennale is one of the most important events in the arts calendar. During 1893 headed by the mayor of Venice, Riccardo Selvatico, the Venetian City Council passed a resolution on [[19 April]] to set up an Esposizione biennale artistica nazionale (biennial exhibition of Italian art), to be inaugurated on [[22 April]] [[1894]].<ref>[http://www.labiennale.org/en/biennale/history/origin/en/7823.html The Venice Biennale: History of the Venice Biennale]</ref> Following the outbreak of hostilities during the Second World War, the activities of the Biennale were interrupted in September 1942, but resumed in 1948.<ref>[http://www.labiennale.org/en/biennale/history/origin/en/7823.3.html The Venice Biennale: History From the beginnings until the Second World War (1893-1945)]</ref>
===Famous Venetians===
''For persons from Venice, see [[:Category:People from Venice (city)|People from Venice]].''
Others closely associated with the city include:
*[[Enrico Dandolo]] (''c''. 1107, 1205), [[Doge of Venice]] from 1192 to his death. He played a direct role in the sack of Constantinople during the [[Fourth Crusade]].
*[[Marco Polo]] ([[September 15]], [[1254]] - [[January 8]], [[1324]]) was a trader and [[exploration|explorer]] one of the first Westerners to travel the [[Silk Road]] to [[China]]. While a prisoner in Genoa, he dictated in French the tale of his travels known as "Le Livres des Merveilles" - in Italian: ''Il Milione'' (''[[The Travels of Marco Polo]]'').
*[[Giovanni Bellini]] (c. 1430-1516), he was a Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of painters.
*[[Aldus Manutius]] (1449-1515), he has been the most important printer of history.
*[[Pietro Bembo]] ([[May 20]], [[1470]] - [[18 January]], [[1547]]), [[Catholic Cardinal|cardinal]] and scholar.
*[[Lorenzo Lotto]] (c.1480 - Loreto, 1556) was a [[painter]] draughtsman and illustrator, traditionally placed in the [[Venetian school]].
*[[Sebastian Cabot (explorer)|Sebastian Cabot]] (c. 1484 – 1557, or soon after), was an [[List of explorers|explorer]].
*[[Titian]] (''c''. 1488-90 – [[August 27]], [[1576]]), was the leader of the 16th century Venetian school of the [[Italian Renaissance]] (he was born in [[Cadore|Pieve di Cadore]]).
*[[Leon Modena]] (1571-1648) preacher, author, poet, active in the Venetian ghetto and beyond
*[[Marco Antonio Bragadin]] (d.1571) general flayed alive by the [[Ottoman Empire|Turks]] after a fierce resistance during the siege of [[Famagusta]]
*[[Sebastiano Venier]], (c. 1496 - [[March 3]], [[1578]]) was [[Doge of Venice]] from [[June 11]], [[1577]] to 1578.
*[[Andrea Gabrieli]] (c.1510–1586), Italian composer and organist at San Marco di Venezia
*[[Tintoretto]] ([[1518]] - [[May 31]], [[1594]]), probably the last great painter of Italian Renaissance.
*[[Veronica Franco]] (1546-1591), poet and courtesan during the Renaissance
*[[Giovanni Gabrieli]] (between 1554 and 1557–1612), composer and organist at San Marco di Venezia
*[[Claudio Monteverdi]] (1567-1643) composer and director of music at [[San Marco]]
*[[Baldassare Longhena]] ([[1598]] - [[February 18]] [[1682]]), he was one of the greatest exponents of Baroque architecture.
*[[Tomaso Albinoni]] ([[June 8]], [[1671]] - [[January 17]], [[1751]]) was a [[baroque music|baroque]] [[composer]]
*[[Rosalba Carriera]] ([[October 7]], [[1675]] – [[April 15]], [[1757]]), She became known for her pastel works.
*[[Antonio Vivaldi]] ([[March 4]], [[1678]], [[July 28]] (or 27), 1741, [[Vienna]]), famous composer and violinist of the Baroque Era
*[[Pietro Guarneri]] ([[April 14]], [[1695]] - [[April 7]], [[1762]]) left Cremona in 1718, settled in Venice. "Peter of Venice" from the family of great luthiers.
*[[Giovanni Battista Tiepolo]] ([[March 5]], [[1696]] - [[March 27]], [[1770]]), he was the last "Grand Manner" fresco painter from the Venetian Republic.
*[[Canaletto]] ([[October 28]], [[1697]] - [[April 19]], [[1768]]), was a famous artist for his landscapes or ''[[Veduta|vedute]]'' of Venice, but not only.
*[[Carlo Goldoni]] ([[February 25]], [[1707]] - [[February 6]], [[1793]]), Along with [[Pirandello]], Goldoni is probably the most famous name in Italian theatre, in his country and abroad.
*[[Carlo Gozzi]] ([[13 December]] [[1720]] – [[April 4]], [[1806]]), he was an excellent dramatist of 18th century.
*[[Giacomo Casanova]] (1725 - 1798), in [[Duchcov|Dux]], [[Bohemia]], (now [[Duchcov]], [[Czech Republic]]) was a famous Venetian adventurer, writer and [[womanizer]].
*[[Carlo Scarpa]] ([[June 2]], [[1906]] - 1978, [[Sendai, Miyagi|Sendai, Japan]]), was an [[architect]] with a profound understanding of materials.
*[[Emilio Vedova]] ([[August 9]] [[1919]]), one of the most important modern painters of Italy
*[[Elena Lucrezia Cornaro Piscopia]] ([[June 5]] [[1646]] - [[July 26]] [[1684]]), she was the first woman in the world to receive a doctorate degree.
*[[Bruno Maderna]] ([[April 21]] [[1920]] - [[November 13]] [[1973]]), he was an Italian-German orchestra director and 20th century music composer.
*[[Luigi Nono]] ([[29 January]] [[1924]] - [[8 May]] [[1990]]), He became a leading composer of instrumental and electronic music.
*[[Ludovico de luigi]] ([[November]] [[1933]]), Venetian Surrealistic artist.
*[[Virgilio Ranzato]] ([[May 7]] [[1883]] – [[April 20]] [[1937]]), Composer.
===Foreign words of Venetian origin===
*[[arsenal]], [[ciao]], [[ghetto]], [[gondola]], [[lazaret]], [[lagoon]], [[lido]], [[quarantine]], [[Montenegro]], [[regatta]].
*"[[Venezuela]]" means "little Venice".
==Twinnings==
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Suzhou]], [[China]] (1980)
*{{flagicon|EST}} [[Tallinn]], [[Estonia]]
*{{flagicon|TUR}} [[Istanbul]], [[Turkey]] (1993)
*{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} [[Sarajevo]], [[Bosnia and Herzegovina]] (1994)
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Nürnberg]], [[Germany]] (1999)
*{{flagicon|GRE}} [[Kedke]], [[Greece]] (2000)
*{{flagicon|PRC}} [[Qingdao]], [[China]] (2001)
*{{flagicon|GRE}} [[Thessaloniki]], [[Greece]] (2003)
*{{flagicon|RUS}} [[Saint Petersburg]], [[Russia]] (2006)
*{{flagicon|USA}} [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida]], [[United States]] (2007)
===Cooperation agreements===
Venice has cooperation agreements with the Greek city of [[Thessaloniki]], the [[Germany|German]] city of [[Nuremberg]], signed on [[September 25]], [[1999]], and a the Turkish city of [[Istanbul]], signed on [[March 4]], [[1993]], within the framework of the 1991 Istanbul Declaration. It is also a Science and Technology Partnership City with [[Qingdao]], [[People's Republic of China|China]].
The City of Venice and the Central Association of Cities and Communities of [[Greece]] (KEDKE) established, in January 2000, in pursuance of the EC Regulations n. 2137/85, the European Economic Interest Grouping (E.E.I.G.) [[Marco Polo]] System to promote and realise European projects within transnational cultural and tourist field, particularly referred to the artistic and architectural heritage preservation and safeguard.
==See also==
*[[Venice Film Festival]]
*[[Venice Biennale]]
*[[List of painters and architects of Venice]]
*[[List of architecture monuments of Venice]]
*[[Adriatic Veneti|Veneti]] and [[Venetic language]] (the ancient spoken language of the region)
*[[Venetian language]] (the modern spoken vernacular of the region)
*[[Venetian glass]]
*[[Su e zo per i ponti]]
*[[Venezia Mestre Rugby FC]] - rugby team
* Several European cities have been nicknamed Venice : ''The Venice of the West'' for the [[Brittany|Breton]] city [[Nantes]], and ''The Venice of the North'' for three cities : [[Brugge]] and [[Amsterdam]] in the [[Benelux]] and [[Stockholm]] in [[Sweden]].
==References==
{{Reflist}}
==Further reading==
===Scholarship===
{{Refbegin}}
*{{cite book|last=Bosio|first=Luciano|title=Le origini di Venezia|location=Novara|publisher=Istituto Geografico De Agostini}}
* Chambers, D.S. (1970). ''The Imperial Age of Venice, 1380-1580.'' London: Thames & Hudson. The best brief introduction in English, still completely reliable.
* Contarini, Gasparo (1599). ''The Commonwealth and Gouernment of Venice.'' Lewes Lewkenor, trsl. London: "Imprinted by I. Windet for E. Mattes." The most important contemporary account of Venice's governance during the time of its blossoming. Also available in various reprint editions.
* Drechsler, Wolfgang (2002). "Venice Misappropriated." ''Trames'' 6(2), pp. 192-201. A scathing review of Martin & Romano 2000; also a good summary on the most recent economic and political thought on Venice.
*Garrett, Martin, "Venice: a Cultural History" (2006). Revised edition of "Venice: a Cultural and Literary Companion" (2001).
* Grubb, James S. (1986). "When Myths Lose Power: Four Decades of Venetian Historiography." ''Journal of Modern History'' 58, pp. 43-94. The classic "muckraking" essay on the myths of Venice.
* Lane, Frederic Chapin. ''Venice: Maritime Republic'' (1973) (ISBN 0801814456) standard scholarly history; emphasis on economic, political and diplomatic history
*Laven, Mary, "Virgins of Venice: Enclosed Lives and Broken Vows in the Renaissance Convent (2002). The most important study of the life of Renaissance nuns, with much on aristocratic family networks and the life of women more generally.
* Martin, John Jeffries and Dennis Romano (eds). ''Venice Reconsidered. The History and Civilization of an Italian City-State, 1297-1797.'' (2002) Johns Hopkins UP. The most recent collection on essays, many by prominent scholars, on Venice.
*Muir, Edward (1981). ''Civic Ritual in Renaissance Venice.'' Princeton UP. The classic of Venetian cultural studies, highly sophisticated.
* Rösch, Gerhard (2000). ''Venedig. Geschichte einer Seerepublik.'' Stuttgart: Kohlhammer. In German, but the most recent top-level brief history of Venice.
{{Refend}}
===Other===
{{Refbegin}}
*Cole, Toby. ''Venice: A Portable Reader,'' [[Lawrence Hill]], 1979. ISBN 0-88208-097-0 (hardcover); ISBN 0-88208-107-1 (softcover).
* [[Jan Morris|Morris, Jan]] (1993), ''Venice''. 3rd revised edition. [[Faber & Faber]], ISBN 0-571-16897-3. A subjective and passionate written introduction to the city and some of its history. Not illustrated.
* [[John Ruskin|Ruskin, John (1853)]]. ''The Stones of Venice''. Abridged edition Links, JG (Ed), [[Penguin Books]], 2001. ISBN 0-14-139065-4. Seminal work on architecture and society
* [[Andrea di Robilant|di Robilant, Andrea]] (2004). ''A Venetian Affair''. [[Harper Collins]]. ISBN 1-84115-542-X Biography of Venetian nobleman and lover, from correspondence in the 1750s.
{{Refend}}
==External links==
{{commons|Venezia}}
{{sisterlinks|Venice}}
*{{wikitravel}}
*[http://www.comune.venezia.it/flex/cm/pages/ServeBLOB.php/L/EN/IDPagina/1 Official Site of the City of Venice]
*[http://www.basilicasanmarco.it Saint Mark Church]
*[http://maps.google.com/maps?q=venice,+italy&ll=45.436406,12.337475&spn=0.048061,0.164383&t=k&hl=en Satellite image] from [[Google Maps]]
*[http://www.venicemarathon.com/ Venice marathon]
*[http://www.guggenheim.venice.it/ Guggenheim museum]
*[http://www.cini.it Cini foundation museum]
*[http://www.oldstratforduponavon.com/venice Venice in Old Postcards]
*[http://www.actv.it/ Official ACTV - Venice's Public Transportation Site]
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