Venetian history and culture are full of terms and expressions, which are found nowhere else. This glossary is an attempt at explaining some of them.
The links on the terms shows a list of articles, which cover or explain the term the best, be it an article or a translated source or document.
A
The Greek word Αινετοι, which means laudable or the praiseworthy, was in Antiquity thought to be the origin of the name of the Veneti people and Venetia itself, which is why the words laudable or praiseworthy are often associated with Venice
Ammiraglio dell'Arsenale
The Ammiraglio dell’Arsenale (Admiral of the Arsenale) was the highest-ranking craftsman of the Venetian navy docks, and as such the head of the arsenalotti
The Arsenale were the navy docks of the Republic of Venice, which occupies about one-sixth of the area of the city
The arsenalotti were the workers in the Venetian navy docks, the Arsenale, who also often served as armed guards and security around the institutions of the Republic of Venice
The Avogadori de Comùn served as public prosecutors, and as guarantors of the legality of the political and administrative procedures of the Republic of Venice
B
For bagatin, see denaro
Balotin del Doge
The Balotin del Doge was a title commonly given to that boy, who was chosen by privilege by the new Doge, and who therefore assumed by right the rank of Ducal Notary, that is, Royal Secretary
Banco Giro
The Banco Giro was a public bank of the Republic of Venice, instituted in 1585, and presided over by a senator for three-months terms
The Barbarèla was a kind of lottery, where young noblemen could enter the Maggior Consiglio before the normal age of twenty-five
The bareta was a small round black cap, woollen, covered in silk, which was an essential part of the attire of a magistrato
The barnabotti were poor nobleman, who had to beg for money, or sell their votes in the Maggior Consiglio
Bauta (pl. baute; also bavuta/bavute)
The bauta was a masquerade costume, consisting of a white mask with a beak like protrusion, a tricorne hat, a hood, a short mantel and long cloak
Bersaglio (pl. bersagli)
A bersaglio was a shooting ground within Venice, used for obligatory military training in the Middle Ages and later
Bezzo (pl. bezzi; also bezzino or mezzo soldo)
The bezzo (also bezzino or mezzo soldo) was a Venetian square copper coin, worth half a soldo or six denari, first issued in 1514
A bigolo was a yoke for carrying heavy burdens, either of wood or of iron
Braccio (measure of length; pl. braccia)
A braccio (meaning an arm) was a common measure of length, either a braccio da seta (silk) of c.64cm, or a braccio da lana (wool) of c.68cm
Brocatello
Brocatello is a mixed fabric comprised of some combination of silk warp and weft of waste-silk, linen, flax, and/or cotton
The Broglio or brolo was an area in Piazza San Marco, where the Venetian nobility met before the sessions of the Maggior Consiglio, to discuss matters more informally
Bucintoro
The Bucintoro (meaning Golden ship) was a ceremonial galley used by the Doge on official occasions. The last Bucintoro was burned in 1797
Bussolai are traditional Venetian sweet cakes, usually in doughnut shape, originally from Burano. The name derives from bussola, which means a compass
C
Cai del Consiglio di Dieci
The Cai del Consiglio di Dieci (Heads of the Council of Ten) were senior and powerful state officials charged with state security
The term calar stola referred to a nobleman moving his stola from the shoulder down to his forearm, in a situation where he was asking another nobleman a favour
Calcagnette (also pianelle or zoccoli) were tall platform sandals or clogs, worn by Venetian women to look taller, and not to soil their feet in the streets
The calegheri were shoemakers of all kinds: shoes, slippers, clogs, sandals, calcagnette
A calle is a normal Venetian alleyway
The game of calzo (or calcio) was a rugby-like game which the Venetian nobility played during Lent
Camauro
The camauro is a light linen cap, which the doge wore under the corno ducale
Cammeloto
Cammeloto (English: camlet) was an expensive, mixed fabric, most often of wool and silk, often in the colour of camel hair
A campo is a Venetian square. The world means ‘field’, as most squares in Venice were only paved in modern times
Candia
Candia was the Venetian name for the Greek island of Crete
Capitan Generale da Mar
The Capitan Generale da Mar was the admiral of the Venetian navy, and the highest ranking military commander of the Republic of Venice
The carampane were prostitutes, in particular older prostitutes, or ruffians — see Prostitution in Venice
The case fatte per soldo (houses made by money) were families, which entered the Venetian nobility in the 1600s and 1700s, by making large donations to the Republic of Venice
The case nuove (the new houses) were families, which entered the Venetian nobility after the year 800, but before or around the Locking of the Council in 1297
The case nuovissime (the very new houses) were families, which entered the Venetian nobility after the War of Chioggia (1378–1381)
The case vecchie (the old houses) were families, which were part of the Venetian nobility before the year 800
The Castellani were a group of commoners from the part of Venice north of the Grand Canal, which during feasts and celebrations competed with the Nicolotti. The name comes from the ancient fortifications of the eastern part of Venice
The Castelletto was an area near the San Matteo church (now demolished, near San Cassian), where prostitutes were obliged to reside. See also Castelletto (district for prostitutes)
A patrician, who was a Cavaliere di San Marco was styled Cavaliere della stola d’oro, and wore a golden stola
The Cavalieri di San Marco were the only chivalric order in Venice, and mostly an honorific with little real power
Cendalo (or zendalo)
Cendalo (also zendalo; English: cendal) was a light fine cloth of raw silk or cotton, typically decorated with stripes
Cittadinanza originaria
The cittadinanza originaria (original citizens) was a class of citizens, who could prove their citizenship of the Republic of Venice for at least three generations. Many roles in the republic were reserved for original citizens
Cocciopesto was a dark red colour made by ground red brick and rust
A codega was a lantern bearer, who illuminated the dark alleyways of Venice for payment
Comandador (pl. comandadori)
The Comandadori were heralds, charged with making public decrees and laws of the state, and sentences of the tribunals
The concio (or concione) was the original popular assembly in the earliest times of Venice, which elected the doges
Condannato al remo (pl. condannati al remo)
The term condannato al remo meant being sentenced to forced labour in the Venetian navy, rowing the war galleys
The Consiglio di Dieci (Council of Ten) oversaw state security and sat a court for the prosecution of crimes against the state and in cases against patricians
Consoli dei mercanti
The Consoli dei mercanti were magistrates of the republic, known from the early 1200s, who oversaw the activities of the merchant class
Consultori in Iure
The Consultori in Jure were advisors to the Venetian government in theological matters, canon law, and relations to the Papal curia
Corno ducale
The corno ducale was the ceremonial hat that the Doge wore on all public occasions
D
Da mo
The da mo (lit. “from now”) were decrees and decisions which entered into force immediate when deliberated
A denaro (also bagatin, bagattino or piccolo) was a common Venetian copper coin for daily usage. Twelve denari made one soldo, and 240 one lira
Depositario del Banco-Giro
The Depositario del Banco-Giro was a magistrate in charge of the day-to-day running of the Banco Giro
The Dogado (Latin: ducatus) was the most ancient part of the Republic of Venice, made of the lagoon from Grado in the north, to Cavarzere in the south
The dogalina was a long robe of wool or black silk, down to the heels, with tight or wide sleeves, worn in public appearances of semi-ceremony by the magistrates of the Republic. It was also worn by the doges, although in various colours, and generally still in use in the 1600s
Dogaressa
The Dogaressa was the wife of the doge. She had no formal role, but was the first of the Venetian noblewomen, like the doge was the first of the noblemen
The doge was the head of the Republic of Venice — main articles: The Doge and Doges of Venice
Dominante
La Dominante was a common term for the city of Venice, or for the dogado, as opposed to the subject cities on the mainland
Dosso is the winter coat of the Baltic or Sibirian squirrel, and used for linings and borders on the dress of doges and magistrates. The squirrel fur from other seasons is vaio
Ducato veneto (pl. ducati; also ducato d'argento)
The ducato veneto (also ducato d’argento) was a Venetian silver coin, worth at times eight lire, or six lire and four denari, minted since 1562. The corresponding gold coin was a zecchino
E
The Esecutori contro la Biastemia were charged with fighting blasphemy and controlling vice, such as gambling, drinking and prostitution
F
The fanti da mar were the marine infantry of the Republic of Venice
A fondamenta is a quayside along a canal, or facing the lagoon
The Forze d’Ercole (Strengths of Hercules or Herculean strength) was a common spectacle, where the nicolotti and the castellani competed in making the tallest human tower
Frittole are fried, sweet dumplings, sometimes rolled in sugar, which are a popular treat in Venice during Carnival
The Fusta was a war galley, which was kept near San Marco as a temporary holding area for prisoners sentenced to forced labour in the Arsenale
G
Gastaldo
The gastaldo was the elected leader of a guild of artisans or merchants, often called a scuola or confraternità (brotherhood)
Gatolo (pl. gatoli; also gattolo/gattoli, and gatoło/gatoi)
A gatolo (plural: gatoli, also: gattoli, gatoi) is a drainage canal, in particular under the pavement of the calli in Venice, but also inside the walls for sewage and rain water
The Ghetto is an area of Cannaregio, where the Jewish population had to live. Before that, metal works related to the Venetian navy
The feast of Giovedì Grasso (Fat Thursday) was a major event during the Venetian carnival, celebrating a Venetian victory over the Patriarch of Aquileia in 1162
Giudice del Proprio
The Giudice del Proprio (lit: Judge of Property) presided over a tribunal for disputes over real estate and dowries
The gnaga was a carnival costume of a woman, with a cat-like mask, and a comical, sometimes offending, behaviour. It was used by men
Guardiano grando
The Guardiano grando was the head, elected annually, of one of the Scuole Grandi
I
The incanto was a public auction, where the republic sold something
Intromissione
The legal term intromissione was when a superior magistracy or state office took over a procedure from a lower instance, because of procedural issues
L
Lira (pl. lire; also Lira Tron or Trona)
The lira is one of the most ancient Venetian monetary denominations, but only issued as coins after 1472 as the lira trona.. One lira was worth 20 soldi or 240 denari
M
The Maggior Consiglio was the sovereign body of the Republic of Venice, where all noblemen aged twenty-five or more participated
Magistrato
A magistrato was a nobleman appointed to an official role in the Republic of Venice. Magistrates could be appointed by the Maggior Consiglio, by the Senate, by the Council of Ten, and by many others higher bodies of the republic
The Magistrato alla Sanità (Magistracy of Health) had broad powers over everything public health related, which besides the lazzaretti, also included inns, prostitutes, pharmacies, doctors, rubbish collection, water supply etc
Magistrato alle Acque
=proper-name/magistrato-alle-acque
Malvasia was a Greek wine, which was very popular in Venice, as attested by the many street names mentioning it
Mariegola
A mariegola was the statute and notary book of a scuola, guild or charity, where all important information was written
Ministro (pl. ministri)
A ministro was a subordinates of a magistrato, usually an original citizen
The mondo nuovo was a peep box or raree show, which was a common street entertainment in the 1700s
The designation more veneto (abbreviated M.V.) indicates that a date in January or February is in the Venetian calendar, which had new year on March 1st
Morea
Morea was the Venetian name for the Peloponnese
The moretta was a mask, made of a circular piece of black velvet, which covered the face
Mozzetta
A mozzetta was a short, elbow length, mantel, which is still in use with Catholic clergy today
N
Negroponte
Negroponte was the Venetian name for the Greek islands of Euboea (Evia)
The Nicolotti were a group of commoners from the part of Venice south of the Grand Canal, which during feasts and celebrations competed with the Castellani. The name comes from the church of San Nicolò dei Mendicanti
The nizioleti are the painted street signs in Venice. The word means a small bedsheet — see Streets in Venice
Nobil Huomo (abbrev: N.H.; also Nobil Uomo, N.U.)
The title Nobil Huomo (abbreviated N.H.; also Nobil Uomo, N.U.) was the shared title of all Venetian noblemen. The Venetian nobility was oddly egalitarian in this respect
O
Ormesino
Ormesino (English: sarcenet) is a light weight silk taffeta
The Osella was a silver coin or medal, gifted to the aristocracy in replacement for the traditional gift of game birds (osei), from 1521
P
A paludo a road in Venice, in an area which once was muddy or swampy. The word literally means a swamp
Paron
The Paron is the bell-tower of the Basilica di San Marco, whose bells regulated time and working hours in Venice
Parte (pl. parti)
A parte was a decision or decree from the Republic of Venice, which established new laws. Cf. terminazione
The Venetian phrase però l’anderà parte separated the preamble from the decisions in a Venetian decree. The Latin counterpart was vadit pars. It can be translated as “so goes the decision”
The Pien Collegio was the Signoria with three groups of Sages, primarily in charge of foreign relations
The Piombi were specific cells in the prison besides the Doge’s Palace
Pizzigamorti
The pizzigamorti were undertakers and gravediggers in normal times, but during the plague epidemics they acquired a tarnished reputation as corpse collectors
Polvere di Cipri
Polvere di Cipri (lit: Cyprus powder) was the Venetian term for face powder
The Pozzi were specific cells in the prison besides the Doge’s Palace
Pregadi (also Senato and Rogati)
The Pregadi was the Senate of the Republic of Venice, and one of the most important institutions of the republic
Prexon is Venetian for prison, which came in various types, such as forte (high security) and orbo (blind, without daylight)
Primicerio
The Primicerio was the head priest of the Basilica di San Marco, in its function as palace chapel. He was appointed directly by the doge
The Procuratori di San Marco were mostly, but not entirely, an honorific position, held for life
Promissione Ducale
The Promissione Ducale was a written oath that the doge had to sign, going back to the Middle Ages. It was a means to curb the excessive powers of the early doges
The protomedico was chief physician and responsible minister in the Magistrato alla Sanità,
Provveditori alla Giustizia Vecchia
The Provveditori alla Giustizia Vecchia oversaw the work of artisans in Venice, and controlled weights, measures, prices and the quality of goods
Provveditori alle Pompe
The Provveditori alle Pompe was a magistracy of the Republic of Venice, responsible for regulating pomp and luxury
Provveditori de Comùn
The Provveditori de Comùn (Superintendents of the Commons), instituted in 1256, had a multitude of charges, including overseeing the wool and glass industries, public infrastructure, awarding citizenship and more
Provveditori e Sopraprovveditori sopra Banchi
The Provveditori e Sopraprovveditori sopra Banchi oversaw banking activities in Venice, both private and the public Banco Giro
Q
The Quarantia (also Consiglio dei Quaranta or Consiglio dei XL) was the main court of appeal in republican Venice, later divided into several branches, for criminal and civilian cases
R
Rascia (or rasa)
Rascia (also rasa, English: rash) was a sturdy woollen fabric
The offices of Rason Vecchie e Nuovo were from 1368 auditors of many other offices of the republic, and accountants of the central offices of state
The Ridotto was a palace on the Grand Canal near San Moisè where the nobility met for gambling. More generally, the word means a meeting or a meeting place
A rio is city canal in Venice. Almost all canals in the city of Venice are called rio
A rio terà is an interred canal in Venice, that is, a road which once was a canal
Romana
The romana was a cloak derived from the tabarro, which a short black silk kilt, worn in the 1700s in Venice first only by citizens, later also by nobles
Ruga is a less common name for a Venetian alleyway
S
A salizada is a Venetian road, among the earliest to be paved in the Middle Ages, most likely because they were muddy
The Savi agli ordini were originally entrusted with matters of the navy and the Stato da Mar, but later it became an entry-level position for young noblemen starting their political career
The Savi di Terra Ferma were after 1519 generally in charge of the economic and administrative sides of military matters in the Stato di Terra Ferma
Savi Grandi (or Savi del Consiglio)
The Savi Grandi or Savi del Consiglio were a group of sages closely associated with the Doge and the Signoria.
Sciamito
Sciamito (English: samite) was a fine quality silk cloth, commonly adorned with gold and silver threads
Scoazze – Scoazzer – Scoazzera
Scoazze means rubbish. Scoazzer is a rubbish collector, and scoazzera a rubbish dump — see Differentiated rubbish collection in Venice
Scudo (pl. scudi; also scudo d'argento or scudo della croce)
The scudo d’argento (also scudo della croce or simply scudo) was a Venetian silver coin of varying value, minted from 1577. The golden scudo d’oro, of much higher value, was issued from 1528
A Venetian scuola could be a charity, a lay religious organisation or a guild. The scuole grandi were major charities recognised by the republic
The Sensa was Ascension day, and more specifically, the Feast of the Ascension held each year with much pomp
The sestieri are the six parts of Venice, from ancient times
Sforzato (pl. sforzati)
The sforzati were people sentenced to the galleys, that is, forced labour in the navy docks as a punishment for some crime
The Serenissima Signoria were the Doge and the six Councillors of the Doge, appointed annually by the Maggior Consiglio, the closest the Republic of Venice had to an executive
A soldo was a common Venetian copper coin, worth 12 denari or 1/20th of a lira. The word was also used generically for money
Spezier (or Speziale, Speciale)
A spezier (or speziale) was a merchant of herbs and spices for medicinal purposes, or a pharmacist
A spritz is a popular Venetian aperitivo based on the Austrian gesprizter made of white wine and sparkling water
The Stato da Mar (lit. the Sea State) was all the Venetian dominions down the Adriatic Sea and around in Greece
The Stato da Terra Ferma (lit. the Mainland State) was all the Venetian mainland dominions, established from the late 1300s
A stola was a band of fabric, usually the same material as the vesta, hanging over the left shoulder of a magistrato of the republic
A strazzariol was merchant of used clothes, furniture and household items
T
The Tabarro (also: tabaro) was a loose cloak or cape, often made from lush materials for use in winter, fastened at the front
Tabi
Tabi (English: Tabby silk) was a kind of medium-quality, glossy taffeta, marbled, used for dresses or as a lining of fine garments
Taffeta
Taffeta is a crisp, glossy silk fabric, fashionable in the 1600s and 1700s
Teriaca (also triaca; English: theriac or treacle) was a kind of wonder medicine and general antidote, of which Venice was the main producer in Europe
Terminazione (pl. terminazioni)
A terminazione was a decision from a magistracy of the republic, which enacted or implemented the laws. Cf. parte
See vesta
Tragheto (pl. tragheti)
A tragheto was a ferry service, usually for crossing the Grand Canal, where, until recently, there was only one bridge, the Rialto Bridge. There were other tragheti too, such as at Santa Giustina. They are precursors of the current-day gondola services
V
The Latin phrase vadit pars separated the preamble from the decisions in a Venetian decree. The Venetian counterpart was però l’anderà parte. It can be translated as “so goes the decision”
Vaio (English: vair) is fur of Baltic or Sibirian squirrels. The belly of the winter coat, called dosso, was especially sought after, and used in the dress of the Doge and top magistrates
The velada was a long overcoat, extending almost to the knees, which was very popular in the 1700s
The vesta was a long robe with wide sleeves, lined with fur, worn by magistrates of the Republic, with a stole across the left shoulder
Z
Zaffo (pl. zaffi, also zafo/zafi)
The zaffi were the low ranking executive ministers who served under the Venetian Republic at the orders of the judiciary and public finances, and made the arrests
The Zecca was the official mint of the Republic of Venice
Zecchino (pl. zecchini; also ducato d'oro)
The zecchino (also zechin, ducato d’oro or cecchino) was the finest Venetian gold coin, worth at the end of the republic, 22 lire
Zibibbo means raisins, often used in cakes and sweets
Zonta (pl. zonte)
A zonta (ital: aggiunta; eng: adjunct) in the Republic of Venice was a later addition or enlargement of an existing office of state
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