he old historical centre of the city is situated on 118 islands of the Venetian Lagoon. Its singular appearance and wealth of art treasures make it unique. It is criss-crossed by more than 150 canals and 400 bridges.
Records on Venice date back to the fifth and sixth centuries when refugees from the Venetian countryside took shelter in the Lagoon. The inhabitants transformed it into an important trading centre for shipping in the Mediterranean and towards the Orient.
The importance of Venice increased during the Crusades, when it extended its rule over the Aegean islands, Peleponesia, Crete and part of Constantinople. In the fifteenth century the little city-state had reached its maximum power.