Login — or — register

Venice as seen from the Public Garden, 1873, Jean Jules Antoine Lecomte du Noüy (Art Institute Chicago)

Venice was legendarily founded on 25 March 421, a date first mentioned in 1267 by Martin da Canal and then by Doge Andrea Dandolo. This legend, associated with the Church of San Giacometo di Rialto, is more of a founding myth than a verifiable historical fact. The real foundation took place centuries later, but the Republic of Venice was able to create such a powerful narrative that it became ‘official history’. The legend of 421 AD symbolises the incredible feat of building a thousand-year empire on water, reminding us that great things are always possible.

Not many cities can be defined as legendary, but Venice and its history successfully manage the feat, starting from its own birth.What, then, is the legend?It is a short story that is born when the popular imagination blends in harmonious play with reality. What history very often does not have, is precisely the telling of events that happened using those narrative tricks and techniques that great writers and the most skilful film authors use. That is why many legends have crossed the centuries passing from mouth to mouth, being handed down from father to son.The legend has the strength to cro

Continue reading:

7,99€ per month, or 59€ per year

Invest in culture, in beauty, in a better future.
You can unsubscribe whenever you want.

Enjoy the full experience