The lands on the shores of the Adriatic Sea were densely populated more than two thousand years ago. Roman colonisers founded Aquileia, the administrative centre of the province of Venetia, in the 2nd century BC. It was subordinate to the Roman Empire, and got its name from the tribe of Veneti, who had lived here since ancient times. However, all settlements were on the coast. The small islands of the Venetian lagoon the locals began to develop forced in the V century, when the Roman Empire fell under the onslaught of the ancient Germanic tribes. On 25 March 421, a new city was founded on the islands - Venice. The decision was a good one from a strategic point of view. While wars were going on on the mainland, the islands were developing their navy and building coastal fortifications

Formally, Venice was under the influence of Byzantium. But in fact, it had a lot of freedom. In the 7th century, the Doge began to rule here. The name of the position of the head of the city-state came from the Latin "dux", which means "lord". Gradually Venice separated from Byzantium, and the Doge began to be elected by general vote.

By the 10th century, the city was so flourishing that it became one of the main ports on the continent. This is due to the booming trade between Byzantium and Western Europe: trade routes pass just through Venice. The rulers of the city-state invested in what is now called logistics infrastructure: they created the system of water canals for which Venice is famous today.

The Crusades contributed to the city's development. Venice had a good navy. Often the Doge himself led groups of ships going on campaigns. In each captured settlement the Venetians received trade places and were exempted from taxes. In addition, the crusaders also rented ships from the city-state. Venice grew rich quickly.

In the fifteenth century, Europe and eastern states paved other routes for trade. Many local merchants went bankrupt. The lack of money also affected defence. At the end of the XVIII century Napoleon's troops captured Venice and entered without resistance. For the first time in more than a thousand years of its history, the republic on the islands lost its independence. Venice was heavily plundered by the French. Already in 1815 - after Napoleon had finally abdicated - the city was taken over by Austria. However, the region was further developed.

For example, in 1840 a railway from Milan was built, which not only connected the west and east of Italy, but also became a bridge to the islands. It is true that at the same time Austria was imposing laws and regulations on Venice. The freedom-loving city did not like this influence. In 1866, as a result of lengthy negotiations facilitated by the war between Austria and Prussia, Venice was handed over to Italy.