Venice

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy, the capital of the Veneto region, built on the 118 small islands of the Venetian Lagoon. It is renowned for its extensive canal network, with water routes serving as the primary form of transport. The city is connected by more than 400 bridges and powered by boats such as vaporetti and gondolas.

Founded in late antiquity, Venice grew into a powerful maritime republic from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance, controlling trade between Europe and the Byzantine and Islamic worlds. It remained independent until 1797, when Napoleon Bonaparte's armies ended the republic. The city developed a distinctive architectural and artistic heritage funded by mercantile prosperity.

Key landmarks include St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace on Piazza San Marco, and the Rialto Bridge across the Grand Canal. The Grand Canal winds through the city, flanked by palaces from various eras. The nearby islands of Murano, famous for glassmaking, Burano for lace, and Torcello for its ancient church, illustrate Venice's historic crafts.

Venice hosts major cultural institutions and events, including the Venice Biennale and the Venice Film Festival. The city is synonymous with the Carnival of Venice, masks, and gondola culture that has been part of its identity for centuries.

In 1987, Venice and its lagoon were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city faces ongoing environmental pressures from acqua alta (high tides), subsidence, and rising sea levels, which threaten its foundations and historic buildings. Its economy is heavily dependent on tourism, supported by traditional crafts such as glassmaking in Murano and lace from Burano.