Kingdom of Venice
Venice and its territory, which had existed as an aristocratic republic from the 7th century to 1797, was confirmed to Austria by the treaty of Vienna, in 1815. The Lombardo-Venetian Kingdom occupied the north-eastern part of the plain of Lombardy, and some adjacent territories. By the middle of the 19th century it formed an integral portion of the Austrian Empire, under the government of a viceroy; and was divided, for administrative purposes, into the two governments of "Milan," or the Lombard Provinces, and "Venice," or the Venetian Provinces; each of which was subdivided into delegations. In the capital of each delegation was a court of first instance, for civil and criminal business; in Milan and Venice were courts of appeal, and at Verona a high court of revision, for the whole kingdom.
Venezia (Venedig, Venise, Venice,) the capital of the Kingdom of Venice in the 19th Century, is built upon a cluster of islands in the midst of a salt lagune, or shallow lake, separated from the sea by a long strip of firm sand, through which there arc several openings for the tide. Venice is one of the most ancient and most magnificent cities in Europe, though its streets are very narrovr and in some cases scarcely wide enough for a foot passenger. The chief thoroughfares, however, are its canals, which traverse it in every direction.
The principal canal, 300 feet wide, extends through the centre of the city in a long curve line, and is crossed near the middle of its course by the " Ponte di Rialto," a fine marble structure of one arch. In the midst of this labyrinth of canals and narrow streets are numerous piazzas or open areas, almost every one of which is adorned with a church or a palace. The finest of these is the " Piazza de San Marco," surrounded with elegant buildings, and containing at its eastern extremity the metropolitan church of San Marco, a singular but splendid combination of Gothic and Saracen architecture. Adjoining the church is the ancient palace of the Doges, the prisons, and other public buildings of the late republic of Venice. The arsenal is likewise a spacious structure, placed on an island three miles in circumference, and strongly fortified ; it was the headquarters of the Austrian navy, and communicates with the Adriatic by a deep channel through the lagune.
Venice is seven miles in circumference, and is situated about four miles from Fusina, the principal landing pla:e on the mainland. The city is well supplied with necessaries and even luxuries, though it possessed naturally neither soil nor fresh water. The houses are built on piles driven deep in the mud. It has had several railway communications with other cities, &c. The prosperity which Venice enjoyed as a republic rapidly declined after 1797; but in 1830 it was declared a free port, since which period, though in no remarkable degree, its commerce gradually revived ; and Venice must necessarily become a central depot for the trade of Switzerland and north eastern Italy generally. The population in 1850 was about 110,000. Venice was the residence of a Catholic patriarch, an Armenian Bishop, and a Greek Bishop ; and the Viceroy of Lombardy usually spent the winter here. In the vicinity there were a number of old towns and villages, chiefly remarkable, however, in their historical connection, and of little modern importance.
In the mid-19th Century Padua, 22 miles west by south of Venice, was a large and busy commercial city. Its university has a world-wide celebrity, and ranks as one of the first in Europe. Vicenza has many beautiful buildings, but was chiefly noted for its industrious population, which is largely engaged in the silk manufactures. Verona, on the Adige, is adorned with many fine ancient and modern buildings, among which may be mentioned a Roman amphitheatre still perfect. Placed near the gorges of the Tyrol, and the defile of the Adige, and commanding that river by its four stone bridges; and situated between the gorges of the Chiusa and the heights of Caldiero, and supported by the fortresses of Mantua, Peschiera, and Legnano, Verona had always been a most important military position, and its proper fortification has claimed unremitting attention on the part of the Austrians.
Independent Veneto
Over 89 percent of participating residents in Italy's Veneto region voted in an unofficial referendum in favor of independence from the rest of the country as Venetians seek to restore the glory of the old days by creating a state of their own. Over two million residents of Veneto – the region of Italy surrounding Venice – took part in the so-called 'Veneto independence referendum' that lasted from Sunday to Friday. The survey, conducted online and backed by the region’s independence parties, has no legal power but aimed to gather support for a bill calling for a referendum.
The poll also asked residents if they want the region to keep the euro and remain part of the European Union and NATO if it declares its independence. More than 55 percent of voters said they would prefer an independent Veneto to remain part of the EU, and over 51 percent said they want to remain in the eurozone. Over 64.5 percent said they want Veneto to be part of NATO.
The results of the vote were announced 22 March 2014in the city of Treviso, where hundreds of pro-independence activists gathered for a demonstration, waving the flags of the old Venetian Republic. The "yes" campaign – organized by pro-independence activists – said that if the majority voted for separation of the region, Veneto would issue a 'Declaration of Veneto Sovereignty' and stop all tax transfers to the central government in Rome.
Though opponents described the poll as "total madness," supporters believe in a new, independent Republic of Veneto. They say the region would be inspired by the ancient Republic of Venice – a rich economic, cultural, and trading state known as “La Serenissima,” or “The Most Serene Republic of Venice.” The republic lost its independence when Napoleon conquered Venice in 1797.
Leaders of the independence movement said they were not going to wait for Rome’s approval, adding that they would begin the separation process if the population voted in favor of the move. Veneto's President Luca Zaia – who supports the independence movement – said the region is tired of the lack of respect from Rome.
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