Discount Hotels Venice

Historical interest: Venice

The lagoon housing Venice is commonly believed to have been permanently settled in the 5th century AD, but the city's real birth came in 697 AD when the first doge was elected. Venice began to increase in political and religious importance when, in 828 AD, the remains of St Mark were stolen from Alexandria and brought to rest in the city - eventually being interred in St Mark's Basilica which was built to honour him in 1094 AD.

The first and subsequent crusades proved to be a huge bonus for Venice, whose sailors made a name and money for themselves by transporting crusaders to the Holy Land. This culminated in the fourth crusade of 1204 AD when Venetians were instrumental in sacking and pillaging Constantinople and carrying off many of its riches back to their city, including the famous four horses.

A long period of dominance over the eastern Mediterranean followed, punctuated by bitter rivalries with the Turks and Genoans. The latter was decisively defeated in the Battle of Chioggia in 1380. The beginning of the city's decline though came with the Turkish capture of Constantinople in 1453. The Turks slowly strangled Venetian power, capturing Cyprus in 1570 and Crete in 1669. The 17th century also witnessed a horrific plague which erased one third of the city's population.

The Republic came to an end in 1797 when Napoleon rode triumphantly through Venice's narrow streets. Following Bonaparte's defeat, the city was controlled by the Austrians until it joined other Italian rebels in an uprising in 1848 which eventually led to unification with the rest of the country in 1866.

Much of the 20th century has been spent protecting the city from rising flood waters and improving tourism and links with the mainland and industry. The city suffered devastating floods in 1966 and much work has been done since then to ensure there is no repeat.

http://www.doge.it

Selection of hotels in this region:

Boscolo Hotel Grand dei Dogi
Holiday Inn Venice East
Santa Marina Hotel
Universo & Nord Hotel
Hotel Ariston
Boscolo Hotel Bellini
Al Sole Palace
Arlecchino Hotel
Comfort Hotel Diana
Ai Mori d'Oriente Hotel
Olimpia Hotel
Torre dell' Orologio Suites
The Palace Bonvecchiati
Sant'Elena Hotel
Santa Chiara Hotel
Belle Epoque Hotel
Ambassador Tre Rose Hotel
Royal San Marco
NH Laguna Palace
Starhotel Splendid Suisse
Hotel Venezia 2000
Hotel Riviera
Hotel Continental
Hotel Splendid Suisse
Hotel Carlton
Scandinavia Hotel
Royal San Marco
Cavalletto & Doge Orseolo
Hotel Des Bains
Hotel Villa Edera
Hotel Biasutti
Hotel Savoia & Jolanda
Villa Igea
Hotel Saturnia & International Venezia
Le Boulevard Hotel
Principe Hotel
Hotel Amadeus
Holiday Inn Venice Marghera
Hotel Buon Pesce
Hotel Bonvecchiati
Hotel Villa Ada
Sofitel Venezia
Malibran Hotel
Express by Holiday Inn Quarto D'Altino

Click below for a full list of hotels and online booking

Holiday Inn, Travel Inn, Marriott, Travelodge, Hilton, Hyatt, Novotel, Best Western, Comfort Inn, Swallow. <*pagetitle*> <*countrydescription*> from www.cheaphotelbookings.com

Selection of other locations with hotels available: