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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The Doge
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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.
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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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Venice without the crowds
Venice is normally a crowded place, and that is how most people know it. What most people don’t realise, however, is that important elements of Venice and its history are actually outside the city, in the surrounding lagoon.
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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