Venice could be described as one of man’s best creations, which has lasted through centuries even after undergoing various regimes, attacks, conflicts, and climate changes. Its beauty and serenity lie in its architecture, beautiful narrow waterways, and the basic calmness that surrounds the city.

Fact #1
Venice sits on an archipelago (a group of small islands) of one hundred and eighteen islands clustered together. Moreover, since the land was not strong enough to support the foundations of the buildings, robust wooden structures were fixed into the sea to provide sufficient foundations.

Fact #2
Venice was founded in 421 AD on April 25 when refugees from Veneto took shelter in the lagoon to escape barbarian invasions. The day is now known as St. Mark’s Day.

Fact #3
The Venetian government was first established by Paolo Lucio Anafesto in 697, but the construction of Palazzo Ducale did not begin until the year 814. Also the Basilica of St. Mark’s was built in 834, but the original was burnt down.

Fact #4
The journey of a Venetian merchant, Marco Polo, from Venice to China is one the most fascinating true stories of the Middle Ages (1271-95).

Fact #5
The plague in 1348 halved the Venetian population; but in spite of this, it increased its territories on the Venetian mainland, occupying Treviso, Padua, Vicenza, and later Verona, Feltre, Belluno, and Bassano (1404-1405) until 1454 when the boundaries stretched as far as the Adda River to the west and Friuli to the east.

Fact #6
Some famous people who came from Venice are Canaletto (artist, 1697-1768), Vittore Carpaccio (artist, 1465, circa-1526), G. Battista Tiepolo (artist, 1696-1770), Tintoretto (artist, 1518-1594), Marco Polo (explorer, 1254-1324), Carlo Goldoni (playwright, 1707-1793), Daniele Manin (patriot, 1804-1857, Antonio Vivaldi (musician, 1678-1742), Giovanni Bellini, called `il Giambellino (1430-1516), Giacomo Casanova (adventurer, 1725-1798), and Cesco Baseggio (actor, 1897-1971).

Fact #7
The first occurrence of the Venice Film Festival was held in 1932. No prizes were planned, but a poll was held. From 1935, the Festival became an annual tradition. Italy is still known as the ‘œKingdom of Italy’ and is governed by the Fascist party.

Fact #8
The artistic activities were interrupted during the Cold War and later were suspended in 1942, but resumed in 1948. Fortunately, Venice was not bombed during the Cold War.

Fact #9
In 1966, Venice suffered a severe flood, but the city soon recovered. Today tourism is the mainstay of Venice. However, the population of Venice has fallen sharply since the mid-19th century. Today the population of Venice is 271,000.

Fact #10
Venice and the Revolution of 1848-1849 Venetia spread as far as the Adige River, including the city of Venice, Istria, and Dalmatia being ceded by Napoleon to Austria by the Treaty of Campo Formio on October 17, 1797, and confirmed as Austrian possessions at the Congress of Vienna in 1815.