The Veneto is characterised by Venice's former days of glory. But you can also find traces of the Roman Empire here, for example in Verona with its impressive arena and the small theatre on the outskirts of the historic centre.
Many of the towns also show signs of the Renaissance period combined with medieval monuments. The sense of history is all around you in the Veneto.
The history of the Republic of Venice dates right back to around 1000 AD when it held a position of dominance because of its trade between the East and Europe. Trade with the Byzantium Empire was also significant and when the Ottoman Turks conquered important parts of the formerly great Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Republic of Venice found itself constantly at war with the Turks.
The republic was a considerable power in large parts of the Balkans, the Danube area and the Levant. Later the republic fought against other Italian maritime states such as Genoa, Amalfi and Pisa.
