Where is Venice located? Venice: population of the city in different centuries. Modern population of Venice

Venice (Italy) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Venice with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Venice (Italy)

Venice is a city in northeastern Italy, the capital of the province of Veneto. Included in the list of objects world heritage UNESCO and is one of the most unique and famous cities on the planet, the historical center of which is built on 118 islands of the Venetian lagoon. Venice is amazing, fabulous, romantic. More than 20 million tourists come here to see the charming canals, graceful architecture and bridges, ride gondolas and listen to the songs of gondoliers, walk along San Marco and photograph the Rialto Bridge, taste local cuisine and feel the Venetian atmosphere. Venice is a city that buzzes every day like a disturbed beehive, and freezes in the evening, this is a place that has hardly changed in appearance for 6 centuries and in which there are no cars at all.

Venice is located in the waters Adriatic Sea almost at the latitude of our Krasnodar Territory. The historic center is located on many islands, separated by canals and connected by bridges, which is called "Sestieri". It includes the areas of Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro, San Polo, Santa Croce and San Marco, where the main monuments and attractions are located. Of the other islands of the Venetian lagoon, Murano, Torcello, San Francesco del Deserto and Burano should be distinguished. The architecture of Venice is a special architectural style, which is called Venetian. Most of the architectural and cultural monuments were built between the 12th and 16th centuries. Interestingly, most historical buildings Venice is built on piles of alpine larch, which does not rot in the water.

Venetian Grand Canal

Geography and climate

Venice is located on 118 islands in the Venetian Lagoon of the Adriatic Sea. The islands are separated by 150 canals and connected by 400 bridges. The city is a major seaside resort and one of the largest Italian seaports.

Venice is located in the subtropical climate zone. Summers are quite hot, winters are mild. Frosts and snow in winter are rare. Although in the cold season it is quite chilly here due to the proximity of the sea. As a result of the surge, floods often occur in Venice.

Unfortunately, this unique city is gradually sinking under water. 4-5 mm every year. During the 20th century alone, Venice went under water by more than 20 cm. In a few decades, it may become uninhabitable. So far, the project to save Venice "MOSE", which provides for the construction of dams around the city, has not significantly corrected this situation.

Best time to visit

The worst times to visit are carnival time (very expensive and crowded) and rainy time in late autumn and winter (cold, windy and damp). It can get quite hot in summer. by the most best time to get to know Venice is considered spring and autumn.

Practical information

1. The population is 264.6 thousand people.
2. The area is 414.6 square kilometers.
3. The language is Italian.
4. Currency - euro.
5. Time - Central European UTC +1, summer +2.
6. Visa - Schengen.
7. Restaurants are open from 12.00 to 22.00. Shops from 10.00 to 19.00
8. The tourist tax is between 3.50 and 5 euros per person.

Story

During the Roman Empire in Antiquity, the Veneti tribe lived here, who gave the name to the future city and province. People began to settle in the vicinity of the Venetian lagoon, fleeing the raids of the barbarians. An urban settlement began to form here in the 6th-7th century. Initially, it was located on the islands of Malamocco and Torcello and belonged to Byzantium. In the 7th century, the settlements of the Venetian lagoon were united under the doge, in fact the head of state. The Doge was elected from wealthy and influential families for life. During the entire existence of the Republic of Venice, more than 100 doges were elected.

In the 9th century, the importance and influence of Venice began to grow rapidly. In 828, the relics of St. Stamp stolen in Alexandria. St. Mark is the patron saint of the city. Interestingly, the Venetian Republic was a unique state entity. There was practically no vassalage here, and it was forbidden for the doge to appoint a successor to himself.

From the 12th to the 15th century, the Republic of Venice was one of the most powerful states in Europe. The prerequisite for this was the defeat in 1204 by the crusaders of Constantinople. The Republic became the main link between East and West. By 1300, Venice was the wealthiest city on the European continent.

In the 15th century, the expansion of the Turks and the subsequent reorientation trade routes towards the Atlantic undermined the economic and commercial power of the city. The mighty republic ceased to exist. At the end of the 18th century, Venice was conquered by Napoleon. After some time, it was part of the possessions of the Habsburgs, until in 1866 it became part of Italy.

How to get there

Venice has an international airport Marco Polo, which is located near Mestre (actually a suburb of Venice). You can take the bus from the airport to Piazzale Roma. The railway station has connections to Milan, Trieste, Verona, Rome and the rest of Italy. cruise ships and yachts usually arrive at Stazione Marittima. Trains from the mainland pass through Mestre to the Venice Santa Lucia train station on its western side. Attention - do not confuse with the Venice Mestre page, which is the last stop on the mainland. Direct trains to Venice run from Munich, Paris, Vienna, Budapest, Zagreb.

The main means of transportation in Venice and its islands are vaporetto and water taxis. Vaporetto is the most economical way to travel. It is better to buy a day ticket to get to the islands of Murano and Burano. Landing on the vaporetto is carried out at special stations. To cross the Grand Canal, you can use the traghetto. These are public gondolas driven by two gondoliers. It costs only 2 euros per person (only cash is accepted).

Gondolas are one of the main attractions of Venice. These boats are historically the main means of transportation along the canal streets. Now they serve for the entertainment of tourists. Gondolas are driven by gondoliers. This is a very prestigious and profitable profession, which is almost impossible for outsiders to get into. The state keeps a strict record of gondoliers. Their number is regulated - 425 people. In this case, this profession is usually passed from father to son. The cost of a gondola ride in Venice is about 80 euros.

Shopping and shopping

Venice has always been a city of merchants. Consequently, most Venetians still own or work in a store. Be careful when buying souvenirs and goods. A huge tourist flow does not always guarantee high quality.

Shops are open from 10 am to 7 pm and later. In Venice they buy: antiques, leather goods, shoes, scarves, jewelry, books, Murano glass, Carnival masks and costumes. Brand stores can be found in the Piazza San Marco area. Typical tourist traps: "colored pasta" and "Venetian limoncello" are not Italian cuisine. No Italian will ever buy this.

Food and drink

Venice is famous for its fine restaurants, but in general it is considered that Italian Cuisine not the best here, and Venetian pizza is traditionally the worst in Italy. Here we recommend trying polenta, risotto with cuttlefish sauce, seafood dishes, pasta. Be careful when menu prices in a restaurant are based on the weight of the dish (usually "etto", abbreviated "/hg").

Attractions

Venice is full of attractions, historical and cultural monuments: squares and bridges, churches and historical buildings will not leave anyone indifferent.

Piazza San Marco is the heart of Venice, its most famous and beautiful square. Napoleon called San Marco "the most elegant living room in Europe." Famous sights are located here, expensive shops and old cafes. Venetian doges, Marco Polo walked along it, and the famous Casanova was drinking in the cafe.

The bell tower of San Marco is one of the main landmarks of Venice and Piazza San Marco in particular. This is the tallest building in the city, with a height of 98.5 meters. The current bell tower of St. The stamp dates from 1912. The original 12th century structure collapsed in 1902. Initially, in the 9th century, the bell tower served as a watchtower and a lighthouse. For 8 euros you can admire the panorama of the city from a height of almost 100 meters.

The Basilica of San Marco is the main religious building in Venice. An old church in the Byzantine style, which is rarely seen in Western Europe. Here the relics of St. Mark (of the apostle and evangelist) and valuable works of art that were taken out of Constantinople. The relics were stolen from the Saracens by Venetian merchants in the 9th century. Since that time, the winged lion has become the symbol of Venice. The Basilica of San Marco until 1807 was the court church of the Doge. The first basilica was built in 829 and burned down in 976 during an uprising against Doge Pietro Candiano IV. Some researchers believe that during the fire, the relics of St. The stamp has been lost. The current basilica was completed in the 11th century. It is built in the shape of a Greek cross. The interior is richly decorated with mosaics and many varieties of marble.

The Doge's Palace is a symbol of San Marco, a masterpiece of Gothic art and the center of power of the Venetian Republic. The Doge's Palace consists of three large parts: the wing to the San Marco basin, which houses the main council hall (it is the oldest part of the building), the wing to St. Mark's Square (the former palace of justice) and the Renaissance wing, which housed the Doge's residence.

The Clock Tower is a historic building from the 15th century with an early Renaissance clock. The tower is located in the northern part of St. Mark so that the clock can be seen from the Venetian lagoon. The lower floors of the tower form an arch that leads to main street Venice - Merceria, which links San Marco and Rialto. The top of the tower is decorated with two bronze statues of "Moors" beating the bell. A little lower is a sculpture of a winged lion with an open book. Previously, there was a statue of the Doge nearby, which was removed by the French at the end of the 18th century. One floor below is a copper statue of the Virgin and Child. The clock is located above the arch and is a large dial with Roman numerals.

The Grand Canal or Grand Canal is the most important waterway in Venice, which divides the city on two sides. Its length is just under 4 km. Interestingly, Venice looks like a fish from above. And the line of the Grand Canal resembles the letter "S". This waterway has been the center of lively Venetian life and trade since the Middle Ages. Along the perimeter of the Grand Canal, you can admire dozens of magnificent buildings and palaces of the 12th-16th centuries, in which the richest and most influential Venetians lived. The Grand Canal ends at Piazza San Marco with a wonderful panorama of the lagoon. 4 bridges are thrown over it, the most beautiful and famous of which is Rialto.

Rialto is one of the symbols of Venice, the first bridge over the Grand Canal. It was originally made of wood and allowed ships to approach San Marco. It was not until 1588 that Rialto was rebuilt and faced with white marble, which is called Istrian stone here. The bridge is 22 meters wide and 48 meters long. It is a unique arcade 7.5 meters high, topped by several smaller arcades that cross three parallel staircases. The Rialto area is known for its famous market, open every day except Sunday.

The Salute Church is a symbol of Dorsoduro and one of the architectural landmarks of the Grand Canal. This church was built by the Venetians in gratitude for the deliverance from the plague in 1630. Since then, every year on November 21, the city celebrates the feast of the Madonna della Salute. The Venetians build a floating bridge of boats from Piazza San Marco to the church. The central part of the church has an octagonal shape, above which rises a large hemispherical dome. Six small chapels are built around it. The central part is connected to the south side by a presbytery crowned with a smaller dome and two bell towers.

Murano is the famous island of glassblowers, one of the most famous islands of the Venetian lagoon. If you buy Murano glass, then only here. Glass factories and craftsmen were moved here in the 13th century to keep Venice safe from fire and keep secrets of production.

Until 1171, the island was part of the Santa Croce region. In 1275 the Murano craftsmen were granted extensive rights. They could make their own laws and even print coins.

Burano is one of the islands in the Venetian lagoon, famous for its colorful houses, lace and culinary traditions. The first houses on the island of Burano were built at the beginning of the 11th century. Colored houses began to be made so that fishermen in the fog could distinguish their homes. This tradition has become the main feature of Burano, which attracts many tourists.

The center of the island is the area of ​​the Church of San Martino and Piazza Baldassar Galuppi. San Martino is the only church on the island. Known for the fact that its bell tower is tilted several degrees from the axis.

The Bridge of Sighs is a popular attraction in Venice, which is not a bridge at all, but a passage connecting the Doge's Palace and the prison. Was built from white marble at the beginning of the 17th century.

The Academic Bridge is the newest of the bridges across the Grand Canal. It was built in the middle of the 19th century during the possession of Venice by the Habsburgs. Rebuilt in 1933.

Other sights and monuments of Venice

Ca "Rezzonico is one of the few palaces of the Grand Canal that is open to the public. There is an 18th century museum with paintings and frescoes taken from other palaces. The building was built in 1667 and bought in 1702 by a merchant from Genoa - Rezzonico. Giorgio Ballroom Massari is the most famous room of the palace, it has been restored, decorated with beautiful chandeliers, sculptures and frescoes On the second floor there is a painting room by Pietro Longhi (which depicts everyday life Venetians).

Campo Santa Margherita - square in historic district Dorsoduro. Here you can enjoy a real Venetian atmosphere: 14th-15th century architecture, small shops, bars, restaurants, a tiny fish market and a street market. On the opposite side is the famous Ponte dei Pugni bridge, which links Campo Santa Margherita with Campo San Barnaba.

Redentore is a 16th century church on the island of Giudecca, designed by Palladio. The facade of the building is made of white marble.

San Giorgio Maggiore Island is an island on the opposite side of the Grand Canal lagoon opposite Piazza San Marco. The island belonged to the influential Venetian Memmo family for a long time. On the island is located ancient monastery, founded in the 10th century, a church designed by Palladio, a bell tower of the late 18th century and much more interesting. In addition, a beautiful panorama of San Marco opens from the island.

Church of San Sebastiano - 16th century Renaissance church designed by Abbondi. The interior is decorated with frescoes by Paolo Veronese from the 16th century. The church can almost be considered a Veronese workshop and is considered a masterpiece of Venetian art. This cultural monument is practically unknown to tourists.

The Church of Santa Maria dei Carmini is a church in the Dorsoduro area near Piazza Santa Margherita. The church was founded in the 13th century and rebuilt in the Renaissance style in 1500. The presbytery and side chapel were built between 1506 and 1514 by Sebastiano Mariani. On the left side there is a beautiful Gothic portal and a bell tower by Giuseppe Sardi topped by a statue of the Madonna del Carmine.

Church of San Giacomo di Rialto - is one of the oldest churches in Venice (and possibly the oldest). It was built in 421 in the Rialto quarter. The church is commonly referred to as Chiesa di San Giacometto (translated as "little Giacomo") due to its small size compared to other religious buildings in the city.

Church of San Geremia - located in the Cannaregio district, just a few minutes walk from Santa Lucia station. The facade of the church overlooks the Grand Canal. Saint Lucia of Syracuse rests here.

Church of San Simeone Piccolo - located in the Santa Croce quarter on the Grand Canal embankment. The church was built in 1738 by Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto in neoclassical style. The architect was obviously inspired by the Roman Pantheon. It is the only church in Venice where services are still held in Latin. The dome has the shape of an oval bowl. It is covered with lead plates and visually increases the height of the building. Interestingly, the church has an underground crypt that has not been fully explored.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi is a palace on the Grand Canal next to the Rialto Bridge. It was built in the first half of the 13th century. It now houses the Museum of Natural History.

Church of San Zan Degola - located in one of the quietest corners of the city, far from popular routes and crowds of tourists between San Giacomo Dall Orio and Fondaco dei Turci in the Sestere di Santa Croce quarter. Here it seems that time has frozen on the border with the past: there are practically no shops, people with cameras and smartphones. The church is very old. Mentions of it date back to the 11th century. Now belongs to the Russian Orthodox community.

Church of Tolentini - located in the quarter of Santa Croce Sestiere, opposite the square of the same name. The church was built at the beginning of the 17th century. Doge Francesco Morosini is buried here.

Pesaro is one of the most beautiful baroque palaces in Venice. The palace was built in 1710. The majestic beauty of the baroque facade, adorned with various statues, surpasses the beauty interiors. Unfortunately, most of the decorations were destroyed or damaged. Only a few frescoes remain.

Frari is a 15th century Franciscan church. The bell tower of the church is the second highest after San Marco. The interior is extensive and rich in works of art by Titian.

Campo San Polo is a square square in the Sestire di San Polo quarter, the second largest in Venice after San Marco.

Kamerlengi Palace - a palace of an unusual pentagonal shape near the Rialto Bridge. Was built in the 16th century. The facade is faced with marble.

The Arsenal has been the heart of Venetian shipbuilding since the early 12th century. This huge production complex was built to equip ships and was at that time one of the largest production facilities in Europe. Now it houses the Maritime Historical Museum.

Scuola Grande di San Marco is a historic building of the 13th century in the Renaissance style, the residence of one of the 6 largest Venetian scuolas (guilds).

The Jewish ghetto is located in the Cannaregio quarter and was founded in 1500. The ghetto area has tall buildings and low ceilings because Jews were not allowed to settle anywhere else. There are five synagogues here, which represent the different Jewish ethnic groups that have lived in Venice for 5 centuries.

Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo is a Gothic palace with a beautiful spiral staircase. It was built by the Venetian Contarini family in the 15th century.

Ca' d'Oro go Hagia Sophia is one of the most remarkable examples of Venetian Gothic and one of the most elegant historical buildings in Venice, located in the Cannaregio area on the Grand Canal. The palace was built in the 15th century. It now houses the Franchetti Gallery.

Ah, Venice! A dream city with a unique and rich past ... The most romantic city in Italy was born and exists under the splash of sea waves and the centuries-old silence of majestic palaces.

This fabulous place inspired many geniuses to create unique masterpieces of sculpture, painting, architecture, many of which have survived to this day.

The city on the water is located in the northwest of the Adriatic Sea and occupies 118 islands and part of the mainland. On the canals of Venice, which are the streets of the city, river buses also run. Arched bridges, which are an integral part of the sea city, are scattered throughout the islands.
How many bridges do you think Venice has? About 400!
The main attributes of the city are the flag and coat of arms, which depicts a golden lion with wings.

Location of Venice on the map of Italy

In the V-VI centuries. the first settlements began to appear on the islands of the Venetian lagoon. People found refuge in these hard-to-reach places, fleeing the persecution of the barbarians who ruled in those days in northern Italy. This phenomenon explains why Venice is built on water.

Venice was built on the water so that people could hide from the barbarians

Soon, the inhabitants of the islands began to equip these territories. As a foundation for the construction of houses, wooden piles made of Siberian larch were used, which, when in contact with water, became resistant to destruction.
After the fall of the Roman Empire, Venice was under Byzantine rule. After a while, the city gained independence and began to benefit from its favorable location.

Thanks to the development of trade, Venice begins to flourish.

Medieval Venice is famous economic development and increase in wealth. In the XII century. banks appear in the city. The medieval Venetian era is characterized by the development of culture, thanks to such famous talented personalities as Tytian, Palladio, Tintoretto.

The heyday of Venice lasted until the 16th century. Then the trade routes were directed towards the Atlantic, and the Venetian lagoon was waiting for the economic downturn.

Since the colonies of Venice were isolated from each other, communication between them was lost. In 1797, Napoleon took advantage of this and, having taken possession of Venice, gave it to Austria. Venice became part of Italy in 1866.

Attractions

The heart of Venice is St. Mark's Square, where the following buildings are located - the majestic cathedral of the same name, the Marcian Library - one of the largest Italian libraries, clock tower, Doge's Palace.

St. Mark's Square - the heart of Venice

Among the museums, the following magnificent buildings are worthy of attention - the Correr Museum and the Peggy Guggenheim Museum. From the last museum opens gorgeous view on the Grand Canal - the main artery of Venice. Its length is 3800 m and its depth is about 5 m.

Arched bridges, which make life easier for Venetians and tourists, deserve special attention.

The Barefoot Bridge is the oldest bridge in Venice, and the Constitution Bridge, as the youngest, was born in 2008.
Also popular among tourists are the glass island of Murano and the museum of magnificent glassware.

Be sure to visit the island of Burano, where you can learn the science of lace weaving.
The island of San Michele is known as a cemetery island where famous Italian figures are buried.

All the temples of Venice are full of grandeur and medieval breath.
Among them are the church of San Maria del Giglio, the church of San Maurizio, the church of Santa Maria della Salute, the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Not less than popular place is the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa of 1250 in the Gothic style.

You can admire the sights of Venice by watching the video:

Festivals and events

Venice is not just a city on the water, it is a whole treasure trove of all kinds of entertainment events and festivals.
Theatrical performances, music programs, wine and grape fairs are just some of what can be seen on the streets of this colorful city:

Where to stay

Is there a city more visited by tourists than Venice?! Hardly…
So before deciding on tours to Venice, you need to take care of the place of residence in advance.

For a relaxing holiday, book a cozy hotel room with a view of one of Venice's most magnificent sights before leaving.

All hotels in Venice can be conditionally divided into island and mainland. Those located in Mestre (the mainland of the city) are more affordable. The average price for a room in a 3-star hotel will be about 40 euros per day. True, you will have to get to the islands by bus or train within 15 minutes. One of the popular hotels on the mainland is the Hotel Autoespresso3* and the Hotel Casa Villa Gardenia4*.

Casa Villa Gardenia4* is popular with tourists

A good selection of hotels in Mestre can be found on this website: www.huno.com

You can choose a hotel on one of the islands of Venice based on nearby attractions.

For example, not far from Piazzale Roma, you can stop at cozy place Sante Croce 3* or comfortable Papadopoli Venezia 4*. The average price for a room in a 3-star hotel will be about 60-70 euros.

A wider selection of hotels is available on the website: www.hotelpanada.it/ru/description.htm

Cuisine and restaurants in Venice

Everyone's kitchen Italian region has its own taste. Distinctive features also exist in Venetian cuisine, which is based on seafood. Traditional Venetian dishes are polenta, risotto nero, carpaccio and fish soups.

Risotto Nero is a traditional Venetian dish.

In addition to pasta with seafood, locals are not indifferent to ravioli with a variety of fillings - fish, vegetable, fruit, and even chocolate. Among the sweets, the favorite dessert is tiramisu and pumpkin pancakes with rice and honey.

The magnificent red wines of Valpolicella and Bardolino will be remembered for a long time by any gourmet with their exquisite taste and aroma.

To enjoy excellent local dishes, Venice will always welcome its guests in one of the coziest establishments with a beautiful panorama of the city. It can be a small old cafe, for example, Florian or Quadri, where amazing coffee of various types is prepared.

Although coffee prices are slightly higher than in other Venetian establishments (about 10 euros), the experience of the extraordinary atmosphere fully compensates for the costs.

Delicious pizzerias and other Italian snacks can be enjoyed at Pizzeria La Perla. Dinner for two will cost about 50 euros.
Near the Rialto Bridge there is a fish restaurant Trattoria alla Madonna, which has an original interior, a large selection of fish dishes and an impressive wine list. The average check for dinner for two is about 100 euros.

The fish restaurant Trattoria alla Madonna offers a wide range of dishes

For an inexpensive and tasty snack between walks, you should definitely look into the small bar Al Merca, where a sandwich costs only 1.5 euros.

For couples in love, a romantic place with excellent cuisine and a view of the picturesque Trattoria ai Cacciatori canal is suitable.

Dinner for two with a bottle of good wine will cost about 80-100 euros.

Weather in Venice

The climate in Venice is quite mild, without strong temperature fluctuations. But since the air humidity is high here, it increases the chance of rainfall throughout the year. The air temperature ranges from 19°С (in May) to 26-28°С (in August). Venice in winter can be moderately cool, and can be met with cold winds and rain.

Rainy in Venice in winter

The average temperature in the winter months is 6-8 °С. In winter, Venetian streets are not crowded with tourists, as, for example, in May or August.

The only downside is biting winds. So, going on a trip to the city of bridges and canals in the cold season, you should be well insulated.

Suitable months for a trip to the north of Italy are March-April, September-October. At this time, the streets of the city are not so crowded with tourists, and the weather in the range of 16-18 ° C is the most optimal for walking.

Holidays in Venice

Except cultural recreation and contemplation architectural masterpieces, a gondola ride along the canals that serve as the streets of the city will leave a lot of impressions. Hospitable gondoliers will gladly tell you about such a different Venice - “where to have a delicious lunch in the city”, “how the sewerage system works in Venice”, “how a beach holiday on the islands works”. You will definitely not find such information in guidebooks!
For more information on gondolier prices, please visit: http://www.gondolavenezia.it/

A gondola ride through the canals is an unforgettable experience

As for a beach holiday, for these purposes there is a separate island of Lido, on which there is a fairly decent promenade. You can get to the beach by water transport from Grand Canal to Lido station. Travel time is about 20 minutes.

Beach holidays should be devoted to the first half of the day, because after lunch the beach becomes impassable from the locals.

For those wishing to improve their health with the help of thermal springs, there is a well-known health resort at a distance of 60 km from Venice. The resort has many medical and wellness services that are popular far beyond the borders of Italy.

IN thermal springs you can get energized

Shopping is probably the most enjoyable part of the holiday. To purchase clothes or accessories of world brands, you should visit shopping centers in Mestre, where such brands as Valentino, Prada, Calvin Klein are represented.

The most expensive boutiques in Venice are located on Merceri Street.

Antique lovers will love the antique shops and stalls located in the Dorsoduro area.

How to get there

Airplane. Venice Marco Polo International Airport receives many domestic and international flights. For example, you can fly from Moscow to Venice in just 3 hours. You can get to the city by bus, vaporetto or taxi.
More information about flights here: http://www.veniceairport.it

Train. All trains that run to Santa Lucia Station (Venice) pass through Mestre Station. You can also go from here in any direction without transfers. Travel time by train from Rome to Venice will take about 4 hours. And the distance between Venice and 120 km can be overcome by train in 1.5 hours. The Milan-Venice train takes about 3 hours.
More details on the website: http://www.grandistazioni.it/

Bus. Thanks to the bus service, getting to the legendary city is not difficult from anywhere in the country. The distance of 273 km between Milan and Venice will be covered by the bus in 2 hours and 40 minutes. How to get from Venice to Rome or any other Italian city, you can find out by studying the timetable on the website: http://www.actv.it/muoversiavenezia/orarioserviziodinavigazione

How to get from Milan to Venice can be found here: www.atm.it

How to get from Rome to Venice, more details here: www.atac.roma.it

A brief overview of the distances of nearby cities to Venice for successful travel planning:

• Venice - Milan - 273 km;
• Venice - Rome - 530 km;
• Venice - Florence - 255 km;
• Venice - Verona - 120 km;
• Venice - Rimini - 235 km.

Unique Venice… A city-legend, a ghost town, and even a city-ship…

In Venice, you will plunge into the atmosphere of a fairy tale

As soon as it was not named for many centuries?! In what other country can Venice be located, if not in Italy, where the magnificence of palaces, the majesty of temples, the temperament of Italians and amazing landscapes, which are simply breathtaking, are united together!

A single ticket (from 21.50 euros, www.venicecard.it) can be purchased for one, three or seven days. It provides access to public transport and free access to state museums and important churches.

Where to stay

Even despite the large influx of tourists, finding accommodation in Venice will not be difficult. It is easy to find hotels of any star rating here, as well as budget options- hostels.

In order to spend as little time as possible on the road to the sights, it is advisable to choose establishments located in the center. For example, the hotel A La Commedia, located a ten minute walk from Piazza San Marco, offers cozy rooms equipped with everything you need for a comfortable stay. The price per room ranges from 400 euros per day. In the immediate vicinity of the Doge's Palace, there is a four-star hotel Palazzetto Pisani, popular with tourists. It offers rooms with views of the Grand Canal, and some apartments have a balcony.

The mid-range hotel Domina Home Giudecca, located on the island of Giudecca, has also earned positive reviews from guests. Guests are offered rooms with canal views, and the buffet included in the room rate will save on food. Run to Piazza San Marco regular flights public transport.

Travelers who have gone to Italy with a small amount of money can stay in hostels. There are a lot of similar hotels in Venice, and in most cases they are located in ordinary apartments, well-furnished accordingly. By choosing this option, tourists can count on new interesting acquaintances and a cheerful company of people from different parts of the world. For example, A Venice Fish is located in the heart of the city in the Cannaregio area. Spacious rooms with bunk beds, shared bathrooms and toilets, a free kitchen - all this, as well as evening feasts with pasta and wine to the sound of a guitar, can be obtained for only 20 euros per day.

Special offers for hotels

Road to Venice

Since the city is located on the islands, in order to get to the historical center, tourists will have to make several transfers, no matter which mode of transport is chosen. The most convenient option is air travel. So, from Moscow there are direct flights from Domodedovo and Sheremetyevo to the city of Tessera (Marco Polo airport) on Fridays and Saturdays, respectively. The road will take only three hours, and an early departure will allow you to be in Italy by noon.

In addition, you can choose a flight to Milan (from Vnukovo to Malpensa on Fridays and Saturdays or from Sheremetyevo on Fridays) or Rome (from Domodedo to Fiumicino on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays). Venice itself can be reached by train or train. Transport runs regularly and almost without delay. Considering that the carriages are in most cases equipped with seats, it is better not to choose night flights. The arrival station is called "Santa Lucia".

There are regular bus services from Marco Polo Airport to Venice. In just half an hour, ATVO and ACTV routes will take vacationers to Piazzale Roma (Piazzale Roma, Piazzale Roma). TO railway station can be reached by bus number 15. A ticket costs an average of 5-6 euros.

River buses and taxis also run from the airport. The fare is more expensive than the bus, but along the way you can enjoy views of the canals and key tourist sites in the city. This type transport is suitable for those who are not tired on the way and are ready to spend more than an hour on the road.

Travelers who do not want to wait for public transport can order a taxi, but this option will be the most expensive.

City
ital. Venice veins. Venice
45°26′00″ s. sh. 12°19′00″ e. d.
A country	Italy Italy
Region
Provinces
Commune
internal division	6 districts
Mayor	Luigi Brugnaro
History and geography
Square	415.9 km²
NUM height	2.5 m
Timezone	UTC+1, summer UTC+2
Population
Population	↘ 261,358 people (2017)
Density	629 people/km²
Agglomeration	304 674
National composition	Italians, Venetians
Names of residents	Venetian, Venetian, Venetian
Digital IDs
Telephone code	+39 41
Postcode	30121–30176
car code	VE
Other
Day of the city	March 25
patron saints	Apostle Mark and 25 others
Awards
comune.venezia.it (Italian) (English)

Venice(Italian Venezia, Ven. Venesia) is a city in northeastern Italy. Administrative center the region of Venice and the province of Venice. Forms a commune divided into 6 self-governing districts. The patron of the city is the apostle Mark, the evangelist, whose relics are kept here in St. Mark's Cathedral, in connection with which many Christian pilgrims from all over the world have always come to the city.

Population - 261,905 people (December 31, 2016). Located on the mainland (after unification with the city in 1926) and 118 islands of the Venetian lagoon of the Adriatic Sea. It is prone to autumn floods from surge waves from the sea.

A large tourist and scientific and educational center. In the mainland - the seaport and international airport Marco Polo, oil refinery and other factories. Venue for the Venice Carnival and the Venice Film Festival.

The architectural appearance of the city was formed during the heyday of the Venetian Republic in the XIV-XVI centuries. Together with the Venetian Lagoon, it is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

During antiquity, the area of ​​Venice was inhabited by the Veneti (hence the name of the city). An island city from the 9th century. In the Middle Ages - the center of the Venetian Republic with numerous colonies in the Mediterranean. Height Ottoman Empire led to the decline of Venice in the XVII-XVIII centuries; During the Napoleonic Wars, it came under Austrian rule. In 1866 it became part of Italy.

Story

Plan of Venice, 16th century

The name of the city comes from the region of Venetia, and that - from the Veneti tribe, who lived here in Roman times. However, under the Romans, there was no urban settlement in the lagoon. People began to settle in the Venetian lagoon after the invasions of the barbarians - the Visigoths, the Huns of Attila and the Lombards - who passed here in the 5th-6th centuries and devastated cities on the continent, the most significant of which was Aquileia. An urban settlement on the islands of the Venetian lagoon began to be created in the second half of the 6th century. Initially, the center of the settlement was located on the islands of Malamocco and Torcello, but from the 8th century it began to move to its present position. In the 7th century, on the initiative of Byzantium, to which they formally belonged, the islands were united under the rule of a single ruler - the Doge. The first doge, Paolo Lucio Anafesto, was elected in 697, for which there is no documentary evidence, and replaced the Byzantine Magister militum who ruled the entire province. From the middle of the 8th century, the Doge was elected in Venice; it was not to be approved by the Byzantine emperor. The first documented election of a doge took place in 727; in total, 120 doges were elected in the history of the city. The last, Lodovico Manin, abdicated in 1797.

After the occupation (751) of the Lombards, Venice remained the last territory in Italy, formally under the control of Byzantium. After the inclusion of the rest of Italy in the empire of Charlemagne, she actually remained a link that connected Byzantium and western world, which contributed to the rapid growth of Venice as a trading city. In the 9th century, this growth was held back by the danger of an invasion by the Hungarians, Slavs or Arabs (in 975 the Muslim fleet reached the city of Grado). During the reign of Doge Pietro II Orseolo (991-1009), Venice managed to conclude agreements with all the powers surrounding it, ensuring the independence of the city and unhindered trade, and also began the territorial expansion of the republic, capturing territories in Dalmatia.

In 828, the stolen relics of St. Mark were transferred to Venice and placed in a cathedral specially built for this purpose. By the end of the 9th century, Venice acquired the structure, with islands and canals, that it retains to this day. To protect against a possible invasion of the Hungarians, a defensive system was built with walls and a chain blocking the entrance to the Grand Canal.

Since the founding of the city in Venice, there has never been a vassal relationship between the citizens of the republic. In this sense, it was unique in medieval Europe as a public entity. When Doge Pietro IV Candiano tried to pursue a policy of greater involvement of Venice in internal Italian affairs, fear of the gradual introduction of vassalage caused an uprising in 976, as a result of which the doge was killed. Around 1040, a statute was passed forbidding anyone during the life of the doge to appoint a co-emperor or successor to him.

Venetian art and culture

The artist who best represents modern life in Venice, gives him a real vision and is a well-known conventional painting artist Antonio Rotta (Italian: Antonio Rotta, 1828 - 1903). The artist Antonio Rotta was already famous throughout Europe and he was awarded the Venice Academy fine arts award (Italian: Accademia Veneta) in museums around the world today. While the most important artists in the history of art in Venice were Giambattista Pittoni (1687 - 1767), the founders of the Academy of Fine Arts of Venice, Tintoretto (1519-1594) and the painter Giambattista Tiepolo (1696-1770).

Rise and fall

Venice in the 18th century, art. Canaletto

Some historians attribute the economic and political rise of Venice to the transfer of the religious fervor and greed of the crusaders from the Muslim East to Christian Byzantium. The defeat in 1204, the richest city of the era, by the Crusaders of the IV Crusade gave Venice not only a direct material benefit (participation in the division of Greek lands and the export of thousands of works of Greek art, such as Quadriga at the Cathedral of St. Mark and the Piraeus Lions), but also, most importantly, contributed to trade expansion to the East. Here is what Fernand Braudel writes about this: so Venice grew because it was fed by the markets, the weakening Byzantium, on which she imposed her services. Venice ate this huge building from the inside the way termites eat a wooden frame. It was Venice that sent the IV Crusade to Constantinople. The sack of Constantinople in 1204 […] dismembered the Byzantine Empire and underlies the greatness of Venice. After the neutralization of Genoa in 1381, Venice becomes the mistress of trade in the East, that is, the international trade of that era».

Venetian lagoon. View of the island of San Giorgio. I.K. Aivazovsky

However, the conditions that predetermined the rise of Venice, at the same time became the prerequisites for the subsequent decline. Having undermined the power of Byzantium, which had shielded Europe from the Muslim East for centuries, Venice itself had to face Turkish expansion after the fall of Constantinople in 1453. At the same time, this expansion and wars forced European countries look for other trade routes. The Venetian-Ottoman war of 1499-1503, other Turkish-Venetian wars and the shift of the main trade routes from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic gradually undermined the commercial and economic well-being of Venice. When Napoleon Bonaparte captured Venice in 1797, it no longer represented a powerful state.

Physical and geographical characteristics

Island part of Venice

Port on the Adriatic Sea (cargo turnover over 21 million tons per year); Marco Polo International Airport.

The historical center is located on 118 islands of the Venetian lagoon, separated by 150 channels and channels, through which about 400 bridges are thrown (including the Rialto and the so-called Bridge of Sighs, both date back to the end of the 16th century).

University, conservatory (1916). Museums (including the Gallery of the Academy of Arts). The first public opera house (1637-1812), the Fenice Opera House (1792).

Island Venice - seaside resort, center international tourism world significance, the venue for international film festivals, art and architectural exhibitions. Intracity transportation on motor vessels, gondolas, barges. A settlement from the 5th century, a city from the beginning of the 9th century. From the 9th-10th to the 16th centuries it was a major center of intermediary trade between and the East. In the Middle Ages and until 1797, headed by the Doge (from the end of the 13th century - oligarchic), with a significant subject territory. In 1797-1805 and 1815-1866 Venice - possession. Along canals and narrow winding streets are richly decorated churches and palaces. On central square- St. Mark's Cathedral (IX-XV centuries), Doge's Palace (XIV-XVI centuries), Old Library of San Marco (XVI century), buildings of religious brotherhoods (skuol), monasteries. The city and the lagoon are included in the World Heritage List.

The country is named after Venice.

floods

Venice is gradually sinking into the water - this fact was faced by the ancient settlers, who were forced to rebuild the city twice, moving to higher islands. During the 20th century, Venice rather quickly (up to 5 mm per year) sank into the lagoon, as a result, the land sank by 23 cm. The main cause of the disaster was the industrial water intake from artesian wells and, as a result, the lowering of the aquifer; the gradual flooding of the city is also affected by the increasing pressure of ground objects: buildings and structures, people, etc. After the closure of the wells, the subsidence of the city slowed down, but did not stop. According to scientists, Venice may become uninhabitable as early as 2028, and completely sink by 2100. The gradual destruction (erosion) of the city also occurs due to the increased frequency of floods in the Venetian lagoon (the so-called "high water", Italian acqua alta).

2008 flood

For salvation unique city The MOSE project was developed, which involves the construction of airtight barriers around the city. The project was approved by specialists and was inaugurated in 2003 with the laying of the first stone by S. Berlusconi. However, the construction of dams is subject to serious criticism due to the low effectiveness of such flood protection, tested in the Netherlands, and the consequences for the environment (lack of sea ​​water can lead to the extinction of many unique and rare species of living creatures living in the lagoon).

Venice is built on piles of larch, which grows in the Alps, which hardly rots in water and from which the resin known as Venetian turpentine.

Climate

Venice is a southern city, lies approximately at latitude and. Venice is characterized by long hot summers with an average temperature of about 23 degrees in July (the warmest month), and mild winters ( average temperature January is +2.5 degrees). In winter, there are occasional frosts and snowfalls.

Population

The population of Venice within the boundaries of the commune, as of December 31, 2016, was 261,905 people.
33,783 foreign citizens live in Venice (as of January 1, 2016), which is 12.8% of the total population of the commune. Among foreigners, there were most residents (15.9%), (14.3%) and (14.0%).

With the nearest cities - and Venice forms a metropolitan area PaTreVe with a population of about 2.6 million people. Except Italian, the Venetian dialect of the Venetian language is widespread.

Historic Venice

From the Middle Ages to the Modern Age, Venice was one of the largest cities Europe. So, in the XV century with a population of 180 thousand inhabitants, it was second only to Paris. Population historic Venice(excluding ) continued to grow until the middle of the 20th century, after which it began to steadily fall, decreasing from 174.8 thousand people in 1951 to 58.6 thousand in 2012.

Power

According to the charter of the commune of Venice, adopted in 1991, Venice is the capital city of Italy. Local self-government is formed by the mayor and the city council, elected by the population.

Administrative division

The commune of Venice is divided into 6 self-governing districts (since 2005):

The historical districts of Venice (sestieres), which developed in the Middle Ages, are located along the Grand Canal: San Marco, Cannaregio, Castello, Dorsoduro with the islands of Giudecca and Sacca Fizola, San Polo, Santa Croce.

Economy

Island Venice with a declining population has become a kind of attraction for tourists

The economy of the island of Venice is based on tourism and crafts (the production of glass art on the island of Murano, lace on the island of Burano, mosaics), the mainland - on the port-industrial complex in the Marghera region.

In the industrial zone of Margera there are productions: oil refining and petrochemistry, metallurgy, electrical engineering, shipbuilding, power plants, transport logistics enterprises.

The seaport of Venice consists of 26 cargo and 8 passenger terminals. Serves 2.3 million passengers a year. The port is a universal cargo complex that handles container, bulk, general and liquid cargoes. It is the only port in the country connected to the river network of Northern Italy. About 18 thousand people are employed in the port and related industries.

Proximity to industries and seaport with their harmful emissions into the atmosphere and water area of ​​Venice led to the erosion of palaces and sculptures.

Venice annually receives about 20 million tourists and over 600 cruise liners(year 2013).

Transport

Shuttle river trams on the Grand Canal in Venice

Mainland Venice is a major highway junction. Highways of national importance linking Venice with the regions of Northern Italy: 11, 13, 14 and 309. The A57 bypass motorway passes through the city, connecting Venice with the suburbs in the southwest and northeast. The island city is connected to the mainland by the Ponte della Liberta railway-road bridge.

Island Venice is a car-free city.

Public transport

The basis of public transport serviced by the company ACTV, make up buses and river trams, including vaporetto. There is also a tram system on the mainland and an island mini-metro that is less than a kilometer long. A trolleybus system operated from 1933 to 1968.

Railway stations: island Santa Lucia and mainland Mestre. Trains connect Venice with Rome (journey time - 3.5 hours) and the rest of Italy and Europe. The Constitution Bridge links the station with Piazza Roma, where the Venice city bus station is located.

On the mainland is the Marco Polo International Airport, one of the largest in Italy. Treviso International Airport is located 20 km northwest of the city. The sea station, located on one of the islands, accepts ferries and cruise liners.

There are 433 gondoliers in Venice, and this number does not change regardless of retirement or the arrival of new members. They are all Venetians by origin. There is only one female gondolier in Venice. From April to September, boat regattas are held in Laguna, in which many of the gondoliers participate.

Education

University and Palace Ca' Foscari

The Marciana Library is the largest library in the city, located in St. Mark's Square (founded in 1468). IN State Archive Venice has kept historical documents since the formation of the Venetian Republic. Public Library of the Querini Stampaglia Foundation.

Among the educational institutions there is the Venice Conservatory named after Benedetto Marcello (founded in 1876, located in the Pisani Palace) and the Naval School of Francesco Morosini ( educational institution Italian Navy, founded in 1937).

Universities

• Ca' Foscari University is a public university with a wide profile, founded in 1868. It is located in the historical center in the Ca' Foscari palace.
• The University of Venice IUAV is a state university of architecture, founded in 1926.
• Academy of Fine Arts - provides training in art history, founded by the government of Venice in 1750.
• International University of Venice - international center advanced training in the humanities, founded in 1995.

twin cities

Venice has twinning ties with six cities in Eurasia:

see also

Notes

1. Popolazione Venezia 2001-2016 (Italian). TuttItalia
2. Ignazio del Punta. An Illustrated history of Venice. - Pacini Editore (Pisa), 2008. - P. 11. - ISBN 9788863150124.
3. Ignazio del Punta. An Illustrated history of Venice. - Pacini Editore (Pisa), 2008. - P. 19. - ISBN 9788863150124.
4. Ignazio del Punta. An Illustrated history of Venice. - Pacini Editore (Pisa), 2008. - P. 33. - ISBN 9788863150124.
5. Ignazio del Punta. An Illustrated history of Venice. - Pacini Editore (Pisa), 2008. - P. 46. - ISBN 9788863150124.
6. Ignazio del Punta. An Illustrated history of Venice. - Pacini Editore (Pisa), 2008. - P. 58. - ISBN 9788863150124.
7. F. Braudel - La Mediterrane, 163 ISBN 960-221-018-4
8. Mikhail Glinsky. Italica No. 3 in 2000.
9. Venice will sink in 2100 | COMMENTS
10. In 90 years, Venice may be completely under water - In the world | KP.UA Archived April 7, 2014 at the Wayback Machine
11. Venice will sink completely by 2100 - Delfi
12. ESBE/Larch - Wikisource
13. Data refer to 31 December of each year and current administrative boundaries, see below. Serie storica della popolazione residente e dei numeri indice per zone del Comune di Venezia dal 1871. // comune.venezia.it. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
14. Cittadini stranieri Venezia 2016 (Italian) . TuttItalia. Retrieved 16 September 2017.
15. Città metropolitana o policentrismo?. // estmagazine.it. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
16. Norwich, John. History of the Republic of Venice. - New York, 1982. - S. 494.
17. Servizio Statistica e Ricerca. // comune.venezia.it. Retrieved March 26, 2014.
18. For the administrative division of Venice, see Article 22 Statute of the commune of Venice.
19. Welcome to Venice, the theme park. //thetimes.co.uk. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
20. Based on site materials port.venice, cm. The Port in figures. //port.venice.it. Retrieved March 27, 2014.
21. Dying Venice. // booksite.ru. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
22. Venice will limit the movement of cruise ships. // russian.rt.com. Retrieved March 28, 2014.
23. Gemellaggi e Accordi di Cooperazione. // comune.venezia.it. Retrieved March 25, 2014.

Literature

• Venice, city // Encyclopedic Dictionary of Brockhaus and Efron: in 86 volumes (82 volumes and 4 additional). - St. Petersburg. , 1890-1907.
• Venice (a city in Italy) // Great Soviet Encyclopedia: [in 30 volumes] / ch. ed. A. M. Prokhorov. - 3rd ed. - M.: Soviet Encyclopedia, 1969-1978.
• Razumov G. A., Khasin M. F. Sinking cities. - M.: Stroyizdat, 1991
• Akroyd, Peter. Venice. A beautiful city. Letters, 2017.

Probably everyone would like to visit Venice. Where else can you see flooded streets, gondoliers slowly floating through the canals and singing lingering songs? But to the locals, all this seems ordinary. And since we are talking about this, let's find out what is the population in the city of Venice.

Where is the city

This city, one of the most amazing in the world, is located in the very northeast of Italy. From this side, the peninsula, familiar to everyone from the school curriculum due to its unusual shape, is washed by the Venetian Lagoon - one of the bays of the Adriatic Sea.

When was founded

The official date of foundation of the city was the distant 421 AD. These were terrible times for the empire. A state whose power was considered invincible, which managed to capture almost the entire world known at that time (part of Europe, including Great Britain, entered the Roman Empire, north coast Africa and some regions of Asia) was rapidly collapsing. Nobody could protect ordinary people from the hordes of barbarians who got the opportunity to act outrageously and do whatever they want in the captured cities.

It was in such a terrible situation, fleeing from the bloodthirsty Goths, that a group of refugees founded a small settlement on marshy islets, hoping that the barbarians would not come here, content with rich trophies in the plundered cities.

The next wave of settlers poured into these unsightly islands in 453. It was then that the Huns of Attila broke into the northeastern regions modern Italy. One of the largest cities, Aquileia, was completely destroyed. Some surviving residents sought shelter and found it in the swamps.

The city grew quite quickly and even almost prospered. Fishing, together with the extraction of salt, provided the city with everything necessary - for these demanded goods, residents from the mainland were ready to generously pay with wood, food, and clean drinking water.

However, this could not last long - for greater autonomy, the inhabitants of Venice founded the settlement of Terraferma. Although officially considered part of the city, it was located on the mainland, providing the inhabitants of the island with the necessary supplies that could not be obtained locally.

By the way, Venice got its name from the name of the Veneti tribe, who lived in these parts in the third century BC. At the height of the empire's power, Roman troops took over these lands, establishing a large and beautiful city Aquileia, whose sad fate we have already mentioned.

City size

Calculating the area of ​​the city is much more difficult than finding out what the population of Venice is, because the number of people can always be calculated. But when measuring the area there are serious disputes. Some experts believe that only the mainland should be calculated, adding to it the total area of ​​the islands. Others argue that the canals are an integral part of the city and should also be counted, although this greatly increases the area.

To date, the second version is considered more correct. So, the total area of ​​​​all the islands, canals and the mainland is 416 square kilometers - the city occupies quite large area.

City population today

There is a task circulating on the Internet, according to which the population of Venice is 4,300,000 people. Of course, this information is completely implausible. There are only two million-plus cities in Italy. These are Rome with 2.9 million people and Milan with 1.3 million people.

Well, Venice is not even among the ten largest cities in Italy. And it is definitely not worth considering it the largest city in the country.

According to experts, today the city of Venice has a population of about 261 thousand people. So, by Russian standards, this is a rather small town - approximately at the level of a provincial regional center.

However, it should be borne in mind here that Venice is the name of not only a city, but also a large province, as well as an entire region. But even in this case, the assertion that the population of Venice is 4,300,000 does not appear anywhere. After all, the province of Venice, whose center is the city of the same name, has a population of only 858 thousand people. But if we take the entire region of Venice, then the number will be very impressive - almost five million people. No wonder - this area is the fifth most populated in Italy.

Population in different years and centuries

The history of any city is interesting. Shocks and wars, dawn and progress - all this replaces each other, affecting the economic situation and, accordingly, the population.

Let's see how the population of the city of Venice has changed from year to year, from century to century.

The first accurate data reflect the situation in the middle of the fifteenth century. At that moment, the city was not just big, but one of the largest in Europe. In the city of Venice, the population in the 15th century was about 180 thousand people! Paris was the only city in Europe that could surpass it in this respect. In subsequent years, the population declined significantly for a number of reasons.

As a result, by the end of the sixteenth century, about 135 thousand people lived in the glorious town. The city was located in a convenient place for trade, ships entered the port, further enriching the Venetians. Alas, at the beginning of the seventeenth century, namely in 1630, a terrible misfortune fell upon the city - the black plague.

Despite the fact that Venice was ahead of most cities in Europe in terms of sanitary preparation, a poor understanding of medicine, epidemics and infection led to the fact that about five thousand people died every day. The disease did not distinguish between children and old people, rich and poor. A large number of people died. Many, fleeing the plague, were forced to leave their homes, seek refuge in other cities (often carrying the disease with them). As a result, by 1633 in the city of Venice, the population was reduced to 102 thousand people.

When the epidemic passed and the surviving refugees returned home (around the early 1640s), the population increased to 120,000. After that, in the city of Venice, the population continued to grow - rather slowly, but almost constantly.

A bit of history

It is also interesting that during its existence the city changed its citizenship many times. As already mentioned, before our era, the Venets lived here, who were partially killed, partially forced out, and partially assimilated by the Romans.

In the early years of its existence, Venice was a rather unpleasant place - swamps, dirty canals, half-starved poor people ... However, gradually diligence, a convenient location and a fortunate combination of circumstances led to the fact that at the end of the seventh century the city turned into a republic. Its full name was the Most Serene Republic of Venice. Of course, the Republic of Venice had a population, area and influence much greater than that of the city. She controlled the area around the city, as well as part of the land on which today Croatia and Bosnia and Herzegovina are located.

Then came the decline of the republic. For example, the island of Crete was captured by the Turks. And at the end of the eighteenth century, these lands were captured by Napoleon. True, the brave inhabitants of Venice raised an uprising, but they failed to win. After the victory of the Russian troops over Napoleon, Venice accepted the citizenship of the Austrian Empire.

And in 1866, when the Third Italian War of Independence took place, the city finally became part of Italy, where it has remained for the past century and a half.

What is Venice made of?

Many people imagine this city as one huge maze. narrow streets flooded with water. But actually it is not. Moreover, today insular part, although it is the most interesting attraction for tourists, it occupies a relatively small part of the city. The former Terrafarm has grown rapidly and significantly exceeds the historical part in area.

But still, in their dreams, tourists and lovers of romance represent precisely these cities. Well, there really is something to see here!

The historical center of Venice was located on 118 islands, which are separated by one and a half hundred canals and straits. These islands are interconnected by four hundred bridges, some of which were built in the sixteenth century!

A few words about the climate

The climate in Venice is very mild, as in most seaside areas. In summer it is never too hot here, and in winter the temperature rarely drops below zero. Snow falls here very, very rarely.

January is considered the coldest month. This month's average low is -1 degrees Celsius and the average high is +6 degrees. Well, the hottest month is July. The average high and low are 28 and 18 degrees, respectively.

However, it should be borne in mind that the humidity in these places is very high - even in the continental part, not to mention the island. Therefore, any differences are felt very strongly.

How a Russian tree saves Venice

Many people are surprised how houses built on water stand for tens and even hundreds of years. After all, when they were built, reinforced concrete and even ordinary concrete were not yet used in construction. And wood in water should rot very quickly, lose strength.

In fact, everything is quite simple. During the upswings, Venice actively purchased wood from ... Russia. Moreover, far from any tree was used - wise architects demanded that larch be used to build the foundations of houses. This material is very difficult to process - when struck with an ax, the latter simply flies off with a loud ringing. But it is able to lie for hundreds of years in water and not start to rot, while maintaining strength and providing durability to buildings.

Venice Tourism

One of the main income sources of modern Venice is tourism. No wonder - the city is considered one of the most romantic places in the world, second only to Paris.

In 2013 alone, about 600 cruise liners came to the city port, traveling along mediterranean sea. By the way, the port itself plays a very important role in the life of not only the city, but the whole country. It is the only one in Italy connected to the river network of the northern regions, which allows delivering goods inland. About 18 thousand people are involved at work here - almost 5% of the city's population!

At least 20 million tourists visit Venice every year. Almost half of the local residents are involved in tourism. And they try to please customers so that they visit the city again and again. The total number of souvenir shops in the city is approaching half a thousand. Many of them have a rich history and are inherited for several generations.

A little about gondoliers

It is impossible to talk about Venice and never mention one of the main symbols of the romantic city. Of course, we are talking about gondoliers.

Locals take gondolas very seriously, carefully preserving the traditions of their ancestors. They are made using old tools according to the drawings left by the old masters. The width of the gondola is 142 centimeters, and the length is as much as 11! This design weighs as much as 600 kilograms, but in the hands of an experienced gondolier it is surprisingly obedient, easily turns and silently glides over the water surface.

Total number there are always 452 gondoliers. By the time one of them retires, the other is already in training to take his place.

Surprisingly, in such a modern city as Venice, there is no sewage system at all! Twice a day, the tide removes all the waste accumulated in the channels.

You can feed pigeons only in one place in the city - in St. Mark's Square, the patron saint of Venice. If you do it in any other place, you can get a serious fine.

It is in this city that real estate prices are much higher than in any other locality in Italy.

Traditions are very strong here. A Venetian who has taken a fancy to one cafe or bar goes to it almost all his life. Of course, the owners know regular customers by sight and provide them with good discounts.

Conclusion

This concludes our article. You have learned many interesting facts about amazing city Venice: information about the population, history, tourism and much more. Surely after that the desire to visit here became even stronger!