Articles
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The Doge
The doge was the elected head of the Venetian Republic. He was elected for life by an arcane process that also included drawing lots.
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Why did Venice become a republic?
Venice was a republic from the beginning, but in a time when hereditary power was the norm, why did Venice become a republic and not a monarchy?
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Streets in Venice
Streets in Venice have different names from in the rest of Italy, because Venice wasn’t a part of Italy for most of its history.
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Why did Venice get rich?
Venice was rich. The wealth came from long distance trade, which relied on the geographical position of Venice.
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The Bones of Santa Claus
Santa Claus is dead, and his bones are buried on both Bari and Venice. Most of him rests in Bari in Puglia, the rest in Venice on the Lido.
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Venetian House Numbers
Venice has an unusual system of house numbers. It is a fairly recent addition to Venice, and it has something to do with taxes.
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Marin Falier – doge and traitor
Marin Falier was a doge of Venice, but he was beheaded on April 17th, 1355, for having orchestrated a coup against the state he led
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The Black Plague
Europe witnessed repeated outbreaks of the black plague – or the bubonic plague – from the 14th until the 17th century.
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Long live the doge
Viva il doge – Long live the doge – the writing on the wall celebrating the election of Andrea Gritto as doge in april 1523
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An ancient game board in Venice
Every stone in Venice tells a story. Recently I stumbled upon a stone telling a story of gaming. It had incised a Nine men’s Morris game board