In Venice, a Young Boatman Steers a Course of His Own
Venice may not be a place most visitors choose for a leisure cruise, but it is a beautiful one. In fact, it was once the world’s most fashionable city. It was also a place of great intellectual activity, which is why it attracted early thinkers such as Galileo and Michelangelo. Its history is also rich with great stories. Venetian merchants used to sail to the Far East on the ships of their countrymen, and they used the profits to finance the construction of a city. The government was, in a sense, a corporation, or, as it was known, the “Republic of the Seven Seas.” People with interests that needed to be represented could pay a tax to the Venetians, which was used to finance the building of the Venetian lagoon. Those who did not need to be represented at all were free to go elsewhere, although the Venetians were very protective of their city.
In 1497, however, an earthquake destroyed much of the area around Venice. Many of the people who had built a city upon the lagoon became homeless and starving, while others had to abandon their houses and businesses. Venice had fallen. Its reputation had suffered because of the damage to the city and its trade connections. There was a period when the population of Venice was reduced to less than a thousand people. But just a few years later, in 1510, Venice was once again a force to be reckoned with, and her population increased by 2,500 people. The Republic was again a force to be reckoned with.
In the 18th century, Venice was the most important city in Europe, and it still was in the last three centuries of the era. By this time, Venice had become the largest city in the world, with an area of 16 square miles. Venice was an important economic power, and its port was the most prosperous in the world, with millions of people visiting the city every year. Venice was as prominent in the arts as she was important in commerce and trade. It was also a place of great spirituality. Many people who visited the city came to venerate the Virgin Mary, while others came to worship the saint of the city. Venetian society was very sophisticated, and many of the intellectuals of Venice were known as “men of letters.”
The population of Venice continued to
