Venezia, Italy

ALONG THE SHORES OF THE BRENTA: THE VILLA VENETE

THE END OF THE GLORIOUS VENETIAN REPUBLIC

VENICE – A CITY UNIQUE TO THE WORLD

SOME FAMOUS VENETIANS

Website:
http://www.provincia.venezia.it/

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THE PROVINCE OF VENICE

The Province of Venice borders with:

the Province of Treviso to the northwest
the Province of Udine and the Adriatic Sea to the northeast and east
the Province of Rovigo to the south
and the Province of Padua to the West

GEOGRAPHY

The Province of Venice is rather flat and has a surface area of 2,469 square kilometres.

The most important rivers are the Adige, Brenta, Bacchiglione, Piave, Livenza and the Tagliamento.

The industries found in this province are varied and widespread. Industrial centres include:

Venice for shipyards and the flourishing tourist industry;
Porto Marghera, known for its metal works and chemical plants;
Murano for its renowned glass industry;
Burano for the art of lacework;
Chioggia, an important fishing centre and also known for its vegetable crops which are grown behind reed screens to shield them from winds coming off the sea;
Mira for its candles and soap.

Other centres in the Province are:

Mestre, the largest city of the Province on the mainland;
San Donà, a working class town found on the left bank of the Piave;
Portogruaro, picturesque city on the Lemene;
Jesolo, modern seaside resort;
and then there are also Oriago, Stra, Mirano Noale, Concordia Sagittaria and Carole.

ALONG THE SHORES OF THE BRENTA: THE VILLE VENETE

One of the most attractive tourist itineraries is along the River Brenta. The very beautiful area upon which the Doges and the Venetian nobility built splendid summer homes. Among the more famous are:

Villa Foscari, creation of Andrea Palladio;
Villa Mocenigo in Oriago;
Villa Widmann with its beautiful garden filled with 18th century statues;
Villa Tessier and Villa Bragadin in Mira;
Villa Pisani in Stra, the most fabulous of all the villas on the Brenta and among the most beautiful in all of Italy.

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VENICE: THE CAPITAL

The capital of the province is Venice, a magnificent city that rise about 4 kilometres from the mainland, on an archipelago of 118 small islands. It is joined to the mainland by a double bridge: one for rail and the other for autos.

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THE HISTORY OF VENICE

Venice was founded towards the middle of the 5th century by the mainland inhabitants that took refuge on the lagoon to escape the barbarian invasions. Up to that point, Venice was inhabited only by a few fishermen who lived in their huts spread out here and there upon the various islands. As such, new centres of habitation are established: Malacomo, Murano, Torcello and Rialto. At the end of the 7th century, power over these communities passes to the Doge, the ruler of Venice.

In the 9th century, the Doge constructs the first palace and builds the first church in honour of his patron saint: St. mark. In this era of “Civitas Venetiarum”, the number of dwellings multiply near Rialto and in the sea there are more and more sails that ply their trade all the way to the opposite shore of the Adriatic.

In the 3 centuries that follow, Venice affirms its dominion on the sea routes and on the entire coast of the northern Adriatic (the Dalmatian Coast). With a fortunate expedition to the far away lands of Syria, Venice is elevated to the status of a great power in the Mediterranean. In 1177, Venice is so powerful that signs a peace treaty between the emperor Barbarossa and Pope Alexander III in the new and grandiose Basilica of St. Mark, next to which the new Government Palace, il Palazzo Ducale, is rising.

Since the time that the 80-something Doge Enrico Dandolo, in command of a Crusade, assails and conquers Constantinople, the winged Lion of St. Mark dominates the seas. By the middle of the 15th century, Venice has no more rivals. Her galleons travel safely upon all the Mediterranean and diffuse the Latin civilization. Venice is so sure of itself and so rich and powerful that it merits the title of Serenissima (the most Serene).

The powerful “Republic of St. Mark”, while dominating the seas, did not possess a single patch of mainland. It never really cared about what was happening on the mainland until things began to go amiss in the region. The powerful lords of the cities of the surrounding mainland began to be dangerous and represented a threat to the tranquillity of the Serenisima.

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A UNITED VENETO

Venice couldn’t concentrate on its trade and retain its far-off conquered lands if there was someone who disturbed the peace nearby. Therefore, the city dedicated itself during much of the 15th century to unite the cities of its hinterland under the control of Venice. The fascination with the Serenissima was so great that, one after the other, the cities spontaneously submitted to its power. As such, towards the end of that same century, all of the Veneto Region was united under the standard of St., Mark. A period of prosperity and peace followed. The Veneto cities, faithful to Venice were united in their defense against the few threats from the rest of the mainland.

However one great threat, not only for Venice, but for all of Europe, were the Turks, ready to invade the Christian states. In 1571, the Venetian flotilla, together with ships from Tuscany, Genoa and Spain, defeated the Turkish float in the battle of Lepanto, saving the whole of Europe.

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THE BEAUTIFICATION OF VENICE

It is in this era that Venice, under a wise and illuminated government, begins to cross a period of great artistic splendor. It is transformed by beautiful palaces and monuments while the flourishing countryside sees the rise of the famous and marvelous ville venete which remain fascinating to this day.

Venetian art pushes itself in the forefront of world admiration with famous artists such as Tiziano, Giorgione, Veronese, Tintoretto and Tiepolo, ingenious architects such as Sandovino and Palladio, and sculptors such as Canova. It is in this period that the famous venetian masks are born and are known as Pantalone, Brighella, Rosauria, Arlecchino and Colombina – all immortalized by the great venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni in his famous comedies.

THE END OF THE GLORIOUS VENETIAN REPUBLIC

We find ourselves in 1797, the saddest year in the history of Venice. Napoleon lays siege upon Venice and concedes it to Austria as part of a settlement deal. There begins in the Veneto, in those difficult years of oppression, the dream of a free and independent homeland. In 1848, Venice revolts against the Austrians who lay siege on the city for 5 months. In the end, the population tortured by famine, thirst and pestilence is forced to surrender.

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THE LIBERATION OF VENICE

The liberation of Venice occurred in 1866 when it was annexed to the new Kingdom of Italy. Agriculture began to be active once more, industry and commerce were redeveloped, land was reclaimed from the sea and the port of Venice, neglected by the Austrians, was busy once more with its maritime traffic.

A very important event for the Region is the First World War which was fought on its territory from 1915 to 1918. This was the last war for the Unification of Italy bringing the Trentino and Venezia Giulia regions into the kingdom.

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VENICE – A CITY UNIQUE TO THE WORLD

Venice’s marvelous marble monuments and its rich artistic patrimony make it a city like no other in the world. Everyone knows:

Piazza San Marco with the Basilica of St. Mark, the Bell Tower and the Palace of the Doge;
The Grand Canal with its magnificent buildings among which are: Cà Pesaro, Cà d’Oro and Cà Foscari;
The Rialto Bridge and the Bridge of Sighs;
The churches of Santa Maria della Salute, Santa Maria dei Frari, and San Giovanni Evangelista;
The monument to Bartolomeo Colleoni;
The art galleries which are rich in treasures; among them are: the Galleria dell’Accademia, The Museo Correr, the Scuole di San Marco e di San Rocco.

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THE SPIRIT OF VENICE

The true spirit of Venice can be summarized in these words by a famous German poet:

“Everything that surrounds me is full of dignity, it is a great venerable work of human will, a majestic monument raised not by a king, but by an entire nation.”

These words imply that the nobility of Venice strikes us before her beauty does. They explain that a nation found a way to bring out of the mud and misery of the lagoon, the sumptuous riches together with the highest form of civilization. That nation first fought tenaciously and patiently against nature, then with will power and wisdom, it united itself, formulated civil ordinances which it always respected and followed.

It was from this firm desire to establish a noble existence that Venice derives its greatness, its power and its fabulous beauty making it one of the most enchanting cities in the world.

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THE LAGOON OF VENICE

Between the open sea and coast, extends the Lagoon of Venice, a vast area of sea that is delimited by a series of small islands running parallel to the coast. The Lagoon of Venice extends for over 52 kilometres from the Lido of Jesolo to the north all the way to the littoral of Chioggia in the south. It is a marvelous example of the ingenuity and tenacity of man in his efforts to tame nature.

In the lagoon there are many islands. The more important ones are Burano, sant’Erasmo and Murano to the north; Lido and Pallestrina to the south. The Lagoon of Venice communicates with the open sea through three “mouths”: the Port of Lido, the Port of Malamocco and the Port of Chioggia.

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THE FASCINATION OF VENICE

Venice today is exactly as it was centuries ago. However, it is not monotonous, sedate and dark like a museum: to the contrary, even to those that see it for the 100th time, it gives the impression of being different, as though it is reborn each day, with a new thrill and new colours beneath the sky of the Lagoon, vibrant with light. In every era, it has enchanted artists, painters and poets that have painted and described it in a thousand ways.

One can cross over 400 bridges, from one island to the many other islands; walk through the maze of narrow alleyways; take a gondola ride along the many canals which reflect the many churches and buildings rising from its edges, pause and”campielli” you will always have the feeling that life is an ongoing festival in the city.

It’s natural that, in this fascinating city, artistic festivals and cultural and sporting events have flourished, attracting tourists from all over the world. The more well known ones are: the Biannual Painted Arts Exhibition; the Film, Music, theatre and Fashion Festivals; the Feast of the Redeemer; and the historic Regata.

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SOME FAMOUS VENETIANS

Marco Polo (1254-1323) Explorer

Vittor Pisani (1324-1380) Admiral

Giovanni Bellini (1426-1515) Painter

Pietro Bemebo (1470-1547) Writer

Tintoretto (Jacopo Robusti) (1518-1594) Painter

Francesco Morocini (1619-1694) Admiral and Doge

Benedetto Marcello (1686-1739) Musician

Giovan Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) Painter

Antonio Canal, a.k.a. Canaletto (1697-1768) Painter and Sculptor

Carlo Goldoni (1707-1793) Comedic Playwright