Romantic and Fascinating Venice – The City on the Adriatic Sea

Text by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mo Fei   Photos by MOOK Scenic Spots / Mo Fei
 
World-renowned Venice is located in northeastern Italy. The city of Venice is composed of 118 small islands divided by canals and connected by bridges.

Venice is situated on Lake Venice, which lies in an enclosed bay between the mouths of two rivers. Both Lake Venice and the city itself have been designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and are hailed as “the most beautiful man-made city in the world.” Historically, it was also known as the “Queen of the Adriatic.”

Venice was a highly important financial and maritime power during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. It was a gathering point for the Crusades and the Battle of Lepanto, and served as a crucial commercial and artistic center from the 13th century to the end of the 17th century.

Historically, Venice was considered the world’s first true international financial center. It remained an extremely wealthy city until the Ottoman Empire gained control of the eastern Mediterranean, which forced European nations to seek alternative trade routes, thereby diminishing Venice’s importance and influence.

Following the Congress of Vienna after the Napoleonic Wars, Venice was annexed by Austria until 1866, when a referendum held during the war for independence led to Venice becoming part of Italy.