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Venice was one of the most
powerful republics primarily because of its geographical location on
the Adriatic. For centuries the city was a crucial link between the
East and the West and dominated maritime trade. In the 15th
century Venice had come to spread from the Alps to the islands of
Cyprus with the wealth from mercantile activity and the commerce of
silks and spices fuelling its political ambitions. With there being
enough wealth to keep everyone happy, political stability marked a
period when the rest of the region was in the throes of civil strife.
The Doge (duke) was the repository of all power but controlled by the
city’s nobility, who acted as a counterbalance.
With the Portuguese finding an
alternative route to Asia around Cape Horn in 1480 Venice lost its
monopoly over intercontinental trade. The first wave of tourists can
be dated back to this period when Venice became the playground of the
rich, hedonistic and famous and it came to rely on its attraction to
travelling elite for economic resources. Since then this city has
geared itself towards attracting more and more tourists till now when
it receives two hundred fold its number of citizens.
In 1797 Napoleon conquered Venice
and ended its long run as an independent republic. In 1846 it was
successfully linked to the mainland by railway ending its isolation.
When 20 years later Italy was unified, Venice came to be a part of
this new political entity. |
