From a small group of islands on the Adriatic Sea, the city state of Venice ruled over a vast maritime empire during the Middle Ages. Venice became extremely wealthy by trading luxury goods from the Orient and acquiring loots from the Crusades. After trade routes moved to the Atlantic, Venice gradually lost its influence. In 1797, the Republic of Venice surrendered to Napoleon and then became a part of Austrian-Hungarian Empire after his defeat in 1815. It joined the unified Italy in 1866. Today, Venice is the capital of the Veneto Region and a major tourist destination.
We visited Venice on Ascension Sunday, when Venetians celebrate the Wedding with the Sea (Feast of Sensa).