Venice...

Story of Venice The lagoon is formed in 800 BC about a previous ambient fluvial-marsh and it is assumed here that there was human habitation since prehistoric times having the resourcefulness that favored hunting and fishing. In pre-Roman age, ie during Paleovenetian, civilization was well established in the area with people engaged in fishing, salt production, transport and other maritime related commercial activities. Hub of intense commercial traffic linking the Adriatic with the central and northern Europe, this period is to develop some settlements, among them, now with a physiognomy protourbana, the center of Altino. The coming of the Romans only reinforces this. The ports system is enhanced, while the hinterland is hardened and centuries, yet is also clearly visible in the provision of roads and ditches. The lagoon became perhaps resort for the nobility, as evidenced by some findings. The first settlement on the Riva at Venice High (Rialto) was dated 25 March 421 with the consecration of the church of San Giacometo on the banks of the Grand Canal.

Ducal Palace The Ducal Palace, a symbol of Venice and a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic architecture, is located in the monumental Piazza San Marco in the Piazzetta and the Pier. Ancient seat of the Venetian doge and the magistrates, has followed the story, from the dawn until the fall, and now hosts the Civic Museum of Palazzo Ducale.L 'construction of the building probably began in the ninth century, following the transfer of the registered ducal Malamocco from today's Venice, a milestone in 812 during the reign of Angelo Partecipazio. Since 1340, under Doge Bartolomeo Gradenigo, the building began a radical transformation to its present form. In 1404 was finished the facade on the quay in 1423, were initiated work on the side facing the square and basilica, in 1439 also began work on the Porta della Carta, after the great fire of 1483 it was rebuilt the interior, ie one side of the Rio di Palazzo ending with the Ponte della Paglia, with work that continued until 1492 and the construction of the Scala dei Giganti. The May 11, 1574 a fire destroyed some boardrooms on the first floor. Decided immediately to rebuild the technical direction and execution was entrusted to the "proto" Antonio da Ponte, flanked by Andrea Palladio

S. Marco Piazza San Marco is the only square in Venice, as all other urban areas in the shape of square fields are properly defined. Its trapezoidal shape and is long 170. The current form of the square is a result of successive expansions and changes that affected the area. Originally the area was destined to garden and crossed the stream Batario, joining the existing canals and the mint stand. The ducal palace, equipped with a real castle towers and defenses had completely encircled by a canal in the area of the square and fronted by a dock for loading and unloading. With the arrival of the body 828 in Venice San Marco and the building of the first Basilica of San Marco area began to assume its characteristic monumental heart of the city. In 976 the whole area, with the basilica and the palace was destroyed by a raging fire, but already in 978 a second church was built and rebuilt the palace. The current basilica dates from the years 1050-1094, with the third foundation of the building .