Venice didn’t appear out of nothing – there was something before which led to the Venice we know as the Serenissima.
Translation of the parts related to Venice of the “De Administrando Imperio” (c.950) by Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus.
This document is the earliest description of the translation of St Mark to Venice in 827–828, and also of early Venice. This is the original Latin text.
Venice wasn’t founded. Venice happened, and events and reasons behind it happening are rather complex. This series researches the origins of Venice.
Archaeological digs in the Piazza San Marco have uncovered parts of the ancient church of San Giminiano and a grave of four persons
Dr Sandra Toffolo of the University of St Andrews has found a drawing of Venice from the 1300s in a manuscript in Florence
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.
The Birthday of Venice of is traditionally on March 25th, 421 CE, but this is far more legend than historical truth.