Venice, Italy is a rich and interesting city with a lot of history and a lot to offer to visitors. It is perhaps most recognizable for the canals that provide the main form of transportation throughout the city. If you are making a trip to Italy, then you should definitely put aside some time to visit Venice. It’s a rewarding experience.
Venice is thought to have been established over 2000 years ago, when waves of barbarians drove people out of their homes in various Roman cities. They immigrated south and established homes in the area now known as Venice. As with any city, over the years it changed hands numerous times, and the main occupants were repeatedly driven out and replaced by new ones. Around years 800-1100 AD, Venice underwent a period of growth, and became more centralized. It gradually developed into a city state, which is essentially a self-governed region of a country that trades freely among others.

As Venice became a prominent player in the sea trade of the time, it was set upon by many different threats. Pirates became a huge problem. Fewer and fewer shipments were making it through the treacherous water. This is when the Republic of Venice decided to move their operations to the eastern shores. This allowed it to stay in the game and develop its economy even further.

When you think of Venice, the first thing that comes to mind are the canals, which are considered the trademark of the city. The city was originally built on giant wood piles. The piles have been underwater for hundreds of years, but the modern buildings still rest on them. It is common knowledge now that Venice is gradually sinking into the water, or at least was for some period of time. In some houses, the original first floors are already submerged. When this happened, homeowners simply boarded up that section of the house and moved upstairs.

When you visit Venice, you can feel a rich aura of its history and culture. Floating through the canals for an afternoon makes for a memorable experience, and it’s one that any traveler should enjoy. So plan your trip to Venice today, and witness it for yourself!