Lido di Venezia
-
Map of the lagoon islands
This is an interactive map of most of the islands in the Venetian lagoon. Many islands are abandoned, or privately owned and inaccessible
-
St Nicholas — protector of sailors, virgins and reindeer
St Nicholas is celebrated on December 6th in much of Christianity. Associated with sailors and gift-giving, he is the origin of Santa Claus.
-
Sestiere – sestieri
Venice is divided into six sestiere whose origin is as old as the city of Venice itself. As far as we know, they have always been there.
-
Venice might not have been
Venice was an independent state for almost a millennium, but it might note have been. It all hinged on a single battle fought in the Venetian lagoon in 810.
-
Why the winged lion?
There are statues, reliefs and paintings of a winged lion all over Venice. The lion is the symbol of the Evangelist St. Mark
-
Invasions of Italy in Late Antiquity
In late Antiquity the north-east of the Italian peninsula suffered many invasions. The wars caused people to move to the safer lagoon areas, and hence to the foundation of Venice.
-
The Birthday of Venice
The Birthday of Venice of is traditionally on March 25th, 421 CE, but this is far more legend than historical truth.
-
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?
-
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.