Venice and its Lagoon
Founded in the 5th century and spread over 118 small islands, Venice became a major maritime power in the 10th century. The whole city is an extraordinary architectural masterpiece in which even the smallest building contains works by some of the world's greatest artists such as Giorgione, Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and others.
http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/394
Venice and its Lagoon is a unique achievement of art, architecture and struggle against the elements.
The old historical centre of the city is situated on 118 islands of the Venetian Lagoon. Its singular appearance and wealth of art treasures make it unique. It is criss-crossed by more than 150 canals and 400 bridges.
Records on Venice date back to the fifth and sixth centuries when refugees from the Venetian countryside took shelter in the Lagoon. The inhabitants transformed it into an important trading centre for shipping in the Mediterranean and towards the Orient.
The importance of Venice increased during the Crusades, when it extended its rule over the Aegean islands, Peleponesia, Crete and part of Constantinople. In the fifteenth century the little city-state had reached its maximum power.
In 1797, the Republic of Venice lost its independence (to Austria).
http://www.worldheritagesite.org/sites/venice.html
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