Venice and Its Story

Venice and its Story opens with a sweeping portrait of the Venetian Republic: a city of rare endurance, maritime power, and political independence, built on lagoons that turned danger into defense. The book combines scholarship, history, travel writing, and art appreciation, guiding readers from Venice's legendary beginnings to its monuments, islands, and masterpieces. It first explores the landscape of Venetia and the origins of the lagoon settlements, correcting romantic myths by showing how organized communities, craftsmen, clergy, and traders helped shape the first island society. From Torcello's sacred legends to the rise of trade, salt commerce, and elected tribunes, Venice emerges as a practical and resilient republic. The narrative then follows the birth of the Dogeship, the city's struggles with Lombards, Byzantines, and Carolingians, and the violence of factional politics that shaped its early state. Later chapters move outward into Venice's wider imperial ambitions, including the tragic story of Caterina Cornaro and the Republic's acquisition of Cyprus. The second half becomes a richly illustrated tour through Venice itself, visiting St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto, the Grand Canal, the Frari, Murano, Torcello, Chioggia, and the Basin of St. Mark, with maps and plates illuminating a living city that is also a museum of civilization. This edition has been fully restored with modern typesetting, custom cover design.