Thomas maddens majestic, sprawling history of venice is the first full portrait of the. Venice is extravagant and intriguing, as it intertwines the magnificence of the ancient city with the hustle of the new city. Venice came together around the time of the fall of the western roman empire, as refugees from various italian cities found themselves fleeing an onslaught of german and hun invaders. The history of the republic of venice traditionally begins with the foundation of the city at noon on friday 25 march ad 421, by authorities from padua, to establish a tradingpost in that region of northern italy. Venices books, like her art and architecture, have long been considered one of. List of books and articles about venetian history online. Historical novel about a 15thcentury venetian cartographer and monk fra. At its peak, it is believed that the island was inhabited by approximately 20,000 people, and the island was a more powerful trading center than her younger sister, venice.
To download a particular title, click on the file type you prefer, e. Im not an expert on venice, but i very much enjoyed reading city of fortune. A history of venice to be better than the print version. Aug 08, 2019 venice, art history and italian artisans with laura morelli traveling to a new place is about art, architecture, food, and culture, but it can also be about the people you meet and the memories and even souvenirs you bring back. Many timelines of venices history conspicuously end around italian unification, so it seems a uniquely positioned timeless city. A new history and millions of other books are available for instant. Ancient indiaexpedition of sesostrisdoubts of dr robertson with. That is true of a history of venice, but in this case it is a major benefit. It tells the story of venice, from the year the founding of the city until 1500 when venice lost most.
A history of venice, by john julius norwich, is an indepth analysis of the history of the republic of venice from inception to its eclipse and demise. By purchasing books through this website, you support our nonprofit organization. Ancient history works in public domain published before 1923 part one ancient history works in public domain published before 1923 part two ancient history works in public domain published before 1923 part four. The construction of venice, the floating city ancient origins.
It is the ideal companion for anyone seeking to evade the daytrippers and embark, with the help of howards knowledge and insights, on an exploration of the citys buildings. Torcello flourished as a trading port from the 7th century ce when much of its commercial activity was based on salt mines. Sarah dunants epic novel of sixteenthcentury renaissance italy is a story about the sins of pleasure and the pleasures of sin, an intoxicating mix of fact and fiction, and a dazzling portait of one of the worlds greatest cities at its most potent moment in history. It is often said that stepping into venice feels like stepping back into timelike everything has stood still there since the venetian empire crumbled. On our first full day in venice, we passed three bookstores. How early travels in europe sparked lauras interest in medieval history. A recent addition by modern historian elizabeth horodowich is a brief history of venice.
Architectural history of venice yale university press. Online shopping from a great selection at books store. Uniquely among italys chief cities, venice came into being after the fall of the roman empire in the west. One of the main points in which are preserved ancient books is bliblioteca marciana, which is located near the bell tower in st. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Two great guide books for kids going to venice include. Ancient history encyclopedia receives a small commission for each book sold through our affiliate partners. It lasted until 1797, when it was annexed by napoleons. People use boats as the main form of transport as the city is made up of many small islands.
Venice s books, like her art and architecture, have long been considered one of her greatest glories. The 11 best books and novels set in venice italy of 2020. The treatment of the more recent centuries in venice. The science of saving venice caroline fletcher and jane da mosto, 2004. Much of the history of venice can be found right within the city. This is a classic for a reason, opening up a window into the greek mind and soul. Around the year ad the republic of venice started to create an empire in the eastern mediterranean sea. Everywhere you look, there are breathtaking buildings. Mar 27, 2020 covering 500 years of history, city of fortune tells the overarching story of venice.
Jan 06, 2015 im not an expert on venice, but i very much enjoyed reading city of fortune. A new history makes me inclined to pass a similar judgment. Renowned historian, and author of a short history of byzantium, john julius norwichs classic history of venice a history of venice tells the story of this most remarkable of cities from its founding in the fifth century, through its unrivalled status for over a thousand years as one of the worlds busiest and most powerful city states, until its fall at the hands of napoleon in 1797. Places in venice where you can see behind the present facade to the history beneath. What are the best books on early norwegian history. Yet most of the available books about this magical city are either facile travel guides or. The city was founded by people from the greater veneto region as a refuge from the barbarian invasions, when the western roman empire fell. Covering 500 years of history, city of fortune tells the overarching story of venice. The narrative becomes so personal and so exciting because of this narrow focus.
Christina giussani, caption on board this boat in books and who knows of more perfectly the english language, is also an erudite person on history and life of the lagoon of venice. Jun, 2014 venice, italy, is known by several names, one of which is the floating city. The lombard hordes, whose incursions into northern italy began in ad 568, drove great numbers of mainlanders onto the islands of the lagoon, previously the homes of itinerant fishermen and salt workers. He is a fellow of the john simon guggenheim foundation, the american council of learned societies, and the medieval academy of america. The cambridge illustrated history of ancient greece paul anthony cartledge, 1997. List of books and articles about venetian history online research. This really is a great book, and anyone interested in medieval or meditteranean history should definitely read it. This accessible yet erudite history traces the incredible rise of publishing in the republic of venice. This book is a wellwritten narrative of the story of venice, from its mysterious origins as a swampy refuge for citizens fleeing barbarian invasions during romes collapse to the controversy surrounding advertising on scaffolding in piazza san marco in 2009. At once the most comprehensive and the most engaging history of venice available in english, this book will be treasured by all those who share the authors. Venice was once one of the greatest trading powers in european history.
This readable introduction to the ecology of venices lagoon asks if venice can survive in the 21st century. The venice state archives hold miles of records and ancient documents that contain information. Traces the rise ot empire of this city from its 5th century be. Ancient origins articles related to venice in the sections of history, archaeology, human origins, unexplained, artifacts, ancient places and myths and legends. Venice was the european end of the silk road trade route which moved goods all the way from china, and consequently was a cosmopolitan city, a true melting pot. Discover librarianselected research resources on venetian history from the questia. Contains one of the finest collections of manuscripts in greek, latin and eastern parts of the world. She discovers a city caught between modern and ancient life, where. The poet ugo foscolo 17781827, born in zante, an island that at the time belonged to the republic of venice, was also a revolutionary who wanted to see a free republic established in venice following its fall to napoleon. Between the islands run about 150 canals, mostly very narrow, crossed by some 400 bridges. This necessary volume traces the rise of venice from its fifthcentury origins through 1797 when napoleon put an end to the thousandyearold republic. It includes novels, personal stories, books on architecture and music as well as. The books of venice il libro veneziano contains a series of essays in english and italian exploring venetian book history from the quattrocento through current production, books printed in the shadow of aldus manutius. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your.
Alexanders legacy comes to life in this engaging history. The city has a history dating from the sixth century, and once wasnt just a city in a larger state. It is the ideal companion for anyone seeking to evade the daytrippers and embark, with the help of howards knowledge and insights, on an exploration of. One of americas greatest historians tackles the provocative history of venice in the 15th and 16th centuries. My 2018 top 10 books on venice you want to read the venice insider. Provides an extensive analysis of the small paintings within manuscripts, with particular attention to the history and culture of art patronage in venice. Incredibly written, with very insightful observations of the local venetians, the awesome beauty surrounding you wherever you turn, and the authors educated knowledge of the history of the founding of this ancient seaside city itself. It is one of the largest italian libraries and the largest of venice. This part of roman italy was again overrun in the early 5th century by the.
Yet, the buildings in venice were not built directly on the islands. It is often said that stepping into venice feels like stepping back into timelike everything has stood still. The breathtaking historical novel about love, beauty, the politics of sex and the power of loyalty set in venice. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. The architectural history of venice has now emerged in a wholly updated form, replenished with excellent new colour illustrations. History of merchant shipping and ancient commerce, volume 1 history of merchant shipping and ancient commerce, william schaw lindsay. There is a brilliant story history to be told of venice from the seventeenth to the twentieth centuries in an accessible form. Women, charity and community in early modern venice. During the middle ages, venice slowly grew to become an important commercial city. The republic of venice traditionally known as the most serene republic of venice was a. The construction of venice, the floating city ancient. Venice italy history, italian history, books barnes. In these historical fiction books that take place in venice, youll learn about venices history from convents to courtesans and the citys historic workshops and traditional arts. There is also john julius norwichs weighty a history of venice.
A history of venice by john julius norwich goodreads. If you have or have not been to venice, this book will inspire your passion for this most remarkable city. Additionally, thomas manns novella, death in venice 1912, was the basis for benjamin brittens eponymous opera 1973. For collectors in this area, this heavily illustrated book is indispensable. Page 533 encircles the ultimate bounds of the inhabited earth, and all beyond it is unknown.
This is due to the fact that the city of venice consists of 118 small islands connected by numerous canals and bridges. My son was being particularly rambunctious and so i just put my nose to the glass and watched a woman carefully spreading large antique maps on the floor and putting them in a certain order. What does the narrator bring to the story that you wouldnt experience if you just read the book. Perhaps the bestknown childrens book set in venice is the thief lord, written by the german author cornelia funke. At the top of this page, on the right hand side there is a box labeled download options. Would you consider the audio edition of the modern scholar. Venice is a fascinating city with an equally fascinating history.
In these historical fiction books that take place in venice, youll learn about venices history from convents to courtesans and the citys historic workshops and traditional arts these are my favorite novels about venice as an amazon associate i earn from qualifying book purchases, which helps defer the cost of. After the fall of the western roman empire, barbarians from the north were raiding romes former territories. So, without further ado, our list of best books set in venice. As comprehensive as it is engaging, john julius norwichs a history of venice is a complete history of the most beautiful and magical of cities. Venice, italy, is known by several names, one of which is the floating city.
Venice simple english wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. No one has been able to verify any thing concerning it, on account of its difficult and perilous navigation, its great obscurity, its profound depth, and frequent tempests. If you love venice, art, history or just adventures, you will love this book. Check out the new look and enjoy easier access to your favorite features. The story of venice as told in this audiobook has connected the dots of my understanding of european history, the byzantine empire, napoleon, the ottoman empire and much much more. Because i dont have much time to sit still and hold my books. Ive also compiled a reading list of my favourite history books via the amazon influencer program. Books set in venice score a book s total score is based on multiple factors, including the number of people who have voted for it and how highly those voters ranked the book.
The history and legacy of the weapons industry that made venice the mediterraneans strongest naval power. This readable introduction to the ecology of venice s lagoon asks if venice can survive in the 21st century. But you have to look closer to uncover the ancient secrets that are etched into the walls and foundations of the floating city. A new history of the most fascinating city in the world, a 320 page trade paperback, which despite the brief in its title, traces a rather complete, though easy to read contextual history of the lagoon city and its impact throughout the western world from. In order to escape these raids, the venetian population on the mainland escaped to the nearby marshes, and found refuge on the sandy islands of torcello, iesolo and malamocco. Oh yes, if case you forgot, venice is right in the center of a lagoon, without the protection and the characteristics of which it would never have existed. Historical fiction books set in venice, italy marthas italy. Nov, 2019 torcello flourished as a trading port from the 7th century ce when much of its commercial activity was based on salt mines. Madden, brave soul, has tried to cram all of venice between the covers of one mediumsize book. Oct 07, 2004 if you have or have not been to venice, this book will inspire your passion for this most remarkable city.