Brief History:

Venice is known world wide as the city of canals. The city was built on wooden stilts cut from trees from the surrounding area in a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. Though I have seen nothing stating why, it was most likely for defense (apparently at one time there were several city islands/forts such as Venice). The narrow canals make it hard for any large war ship to come in and the small islands are easily defendable. The maze of canals and walk ways most likely further confused any attackers, causing them to become lost From this tinny, man made island, an empire was forged. It became a large maritime power, making its way to Constantinople and all around the Mediterranean, leaving its mark on other civilizations and cultures.
Venice was once a powerful city state which had a trading empire with the east. They controlled many ports of the Mediterranean including the islands of Corfu, Crete, Mykonos, and Lesvos in the Ionian and Aegean seas. Nauplion in Greece is another good examples, of a port taken over by the Venetians because its buildings echo the Venetian style. While the rest of the former Roman Empire, A.K.A. western Europe, was undergoing the dark ages, the Venetians were observing the achievements of the the Byzantine and Persian peoples. They took their notes and built a splendid city, with many of these Byzantine and Persian features in it. As a result, they built a city which contained the fine art and arches that was known through out the middle eastern world. It was the artwork and other knowledge that came through Venice that inspired the Renaissance.
However, the once powerful city state of Venice is no more. They have left their legacy behind for us to admire ; That legacy of course is their splendid buildings and murals that make up the city of city. The buildings of this charming city still echo the once powerful empire that was conquered from this city. Admiral's houses adorn the main canal. Plazas pop up between the narrow streets and romantic canals at random, reminding you of this once thriving metropolis. Though there are the obvious sites such as San Marcos and the canals, the city its self is a site to behold. There are churches around every corner and beautifully designed houses everywhere. If you ever visit the city I suggest wandering around, after all you can't get lost on an island.

More information is provided with my pictures in part 2. I hope you enjoy the photos. Any comments, please E-mail me, apollophotos@comcast.net

http://home.comcast.net/~apollophotos/photos/italy/venice/index.html
Venice