Veneto

veneto

Once the cradle of the renowned Venetian Republic, then a land of mass emigration, Veneto is today among the wealthiest and most industrialized regions of Italy. It is also the most visited region of Italy, with about 60 million tourists every year (2007).

Location

Veneto is the eighth largest region in Italy, with a total area of 18,364 km2. It is rough a polygonal of around 210 km in length (from the Austrian border to the mouth of the Po) and a breadth of around 195 km (from the Eastern shore of Lake Garda to the mouth of the river Tagliamento.

Geography

55% Lowland – 30% Mountain – 15% Hill

Veneto is one of the most varied regions of Italy in its morphology, roughly divisible into four areas: the northern Alpine zone, the hill zone, the lower plain and the coastal territory. 29% of its surface is mountainous (the Carnic Alps, eastern Dolomitesand Venetian Prealps), whilst 57% is covered by a vast plain reaching unto the sea, broken only by the hill regions of Colli Berici, Colli Euganei, Colli Asolani and Montello, which constitute the remaining 14% of the territory. Several of the most important rivers in Italy cross through the region (the Po, Adige, Brenta, Bacchiglione, Livenza, Piave, and Tagliamento), and it possesses the eastern shore of the largest lake in the country (Lake Garda). The Adriatic Sea bathes over 200 km of its coastline, of which 100 km are beaches.

[tab:Mountains]

Located in the northernmost area of the Veneto, the Dolomite Mountains are popular amongst tourists due to the ideal skiing conditions and it’s majestic peaks which include the Marmolada, the highest mountain of the Veneto. The alpine zones are characterized by oak and broad-leafed trees and chestnuts.

[tab:Lakes & Coasts]

Lake Garda, located half-way between Milan and Venice in the north, is the country’s largest natural lake and a popular summer vacation destination. The coast of the Adriatic sea boasts Venice’s Lido, an 11-mile long sandbar visited by many tourists in the summer. Flat terrain containing ponds and islands characterize the coastline including the Po Delta.

[tab:Rivers]

The Po and Adige are the two great rivers of the Veneto, ranking number one and two in terms of length throughout Italy. Po forms the border between Veneto and Emilia Romagna and Adige goes into the Venetian plains and flows to Verona.

[tab:Landscape]

The Po Valley, spreading over more than half the region, stretches from mountainous north, south to the Po River. The hills are covered with countless vineyards producing high quality wines. The Venetian plain, divided into higher and lowers zones, is the main region for agriculture.

[tab:Pre-Alps]

Decreasing in size, the foothills of the pre-Alpine area are characterized by groups of smaller mountains formed by the slopes of Dolomites. Climate: Similar to it’s fantastic landscape, the climate throughout the Veneto region changes significantly. Creating a general temperate-continental climate, the climate is greatly influenced by the Mediterranean waters and the Alps. The Adriatic coast and areas near Lake Garda are generally warmer with chilly nights due to the relative low humidity. The Alpine region and other mountainous areas enjoy cool, fresh summers and frigid winters with frequent snowfall. The vast Po Plain region, characterized as moderately continental, gives hot-humid summers and cold, wet winters, with a lot of fog and mist.
[tab:END]

To the north the border perches on a mountainous crest, which is not a single unified ridge, but instead breaks up, forming a chain of distinct massifs separated by valleys. The Dolomites contain the highest alpine peaks, and are famous for their individual rocky outcrops: the Marmolada (the highest mountain of the region, at 3342 m), theTofane, the Tre Cime di Lavaredo, and the Pale di San Martino are the most well-known ranges.

{slide=The Venetian Prealps…} are composed of minor ranges of between 700 and 2200m. A distinctive characteristic of this chain are the cave formations: the caves, chasms and potholes are a constant source of wonder and delight to both Italian and foreign speleologists. Highlight of these is the Spluga della Preta, situated in the Monte Lessini chain in the province of Verona: with an explored depth of 985 m it holds the record for caves in Italy. Fossil deposits are also abundant here. {/slide}

The hills of the Lake Garda, the Colli Lessini, Colli Berici, Colli Euganei, the Montello and the hills of Treviso which arise to separate the mountainous regions from the plains provide many aspects. Particularly adapted for viniculture, the hills are covered with vineyards which produce wines of high quality and renown. Dotted with castles and aristocratic houses, witnesses to the level of appreciation in past times for the exquisite countryside, climate and, in certain zones, the thermal spas.

{slide=The Venetian plain…} is divided into two distinct zones: the higher plain, gravel-strewn and not very fertile, and the lower plain, rich in water sources and arable terrain. This plain is simultaneously the mainstay of agricultural production and the urban magnet of the region. Its cities and villages have successfully wedded economic and social development with the safeguarding of traditional culture and the rich historic and artistic heritage, to the effect that tourism in the Veneto plays a role of prime importance. {/slide}

The coast is characterized by the presence of the Venetian Lagoon: the terrain is flat, with ponds, marshes and islands which are formed due to the flatness of the land and the richness of water. The Po Delta, formed of recently reclaimed land, contains large expanses of sandbars and dunes along the coastline. These lands have been gained for cultivation thanks to a system of canals and dykes and water-scooping machines. Some areas have been transformed into valleys for fish. The entire territory is a stopping-point for migratory birds.

Climate

The climate changes significantly between one area to another. Continental on the plains, the climate is milder along the Adriatic coast, around Lake Garda and in the hilly areas. The lowlands are often covered by thick fog. Precipitations are scarce (750 mm. /year) next to river Po River, more abundant (750-1,100 mm./year) at higher altitudes; the highest values (up to 3,200 mm./year) are recorded in the Bellunese Prealps, near Pasubio and on the Asiago plateau.

Major Cities

Venice – with St. Mark’s Square, the Great Lagoon, the gondolas on the Grand Canal], Venice’s Carnival together with great architecture, artistic masterpieces, particular narrow streets, the Biennale, the Marine Republic, but Veneto is not only Venice.

Cortina d’Ampezzo – in the province of Belluno, is part of the Veneto as well. A place with spectacular views of the Dolomites where you can relax and walk in summer and go skiing in winter. The Olympic Wintergames in 1956 helped Cortina d’Ampezzo to become a city known anywhere in the world.

Padova, the ancient and learned city with its Basilica del Santo that houses the relics of Saint Antonio is one of the major attraction points for millions of pilgrims every year.

Verona – The city of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet? If you plan to go to Verona you should at least try to get one of the searched tickets for the opera in the Arena.

Vicenza

Distances

Venice:

to Bari: 501 miles
to Bologna: 165 miles
to Florence: 167 miles
to Genoa: 240 miles
to Milan: 175 miles
to Naples: 558 miles
to Palermo: 956 miles
to Rome: 352 miles
to Turin: 257 miles
to Trieste: 102 miles

What to do¦

Venice

The capital of the Veneto, is known as one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Consisting of 118 small islands and over 400 bridges, Venice is located in the saltwater lagoon alongside the Adriatic Sea. From late May to the end of August the weather is very hot with an extremely high level of humidity. Recommended months for visiting are March – June, September and October. Venice’s greatest attraction is the city itself. The city has no major streets, and is made up of six districts; San Marco (highest number of tourists), San Polo, Santa Croce, Dorsoduro (southern most district), Cannaregio and Castello.The many famous sights, attractions and landmarks include:

Rialto Area / Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)

Located in the San Polo district – Oldest and most famous bridge in Venice
Constructed in 1588 and the only bridge to cross the Grand Canal until 1854
Lined with small shops and tourists

Rialto Market

The Erbaria (produce market) and Pescaria (fish market) combine to make up this street market which has been located here since the 11th century
Fantastic views of the Grand Canal. Numerous shops and stands selling souvenirs San Marco Area â€“ The Clock Tower marking the entry to San Marco Square points to the main shopping area.

Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square)

the main center of Venice
Packed with romance, pigeons, music and countless sights
Filled with tourists day and night
Popular for peoples watching
Free, however food/drinks sold nearby are very expensive
Surrounded by boutiques and sidewalk cafes
Note that sitting at a cafÃ© or restaurant in the main square will be very costly

Basilica di San Marco

Most famous church in Venice
Constructed on October 8, 1094 â€¢ Strict dress code (no shorts or bare shoulders)
Most dangerous place in Venice for pickpocketing
Over 42,900 square feet of Byzantine mosaics
Historic and Religious site; Famous architectural building; Art gallery

Palazzo Ducale

The most impressive building in Venice
Offers a great tour

Murano

One of the three smaller islands outside of the canal
Located across the lagoon from St. Markâ€™s Square
Famous for itâ€™s world renowned â€œMurano glassâ€
An assortment of factories and free 20 minute demonstrations

The cities of art

Venice: Venice and its lagoon are listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO.
Padua: also known as the “City of the Saint”; the Orto botanico di Padova is on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites.
Verona: The city of Shakespeare’s famous lovers: Romeo and Juliet. Verona has been named a UNESCO world heritage site.
Vicenza is on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites, together with a number of the Palladian Villas.
Belluno the capital of the Dolomites, the bell tower was designed by Filippo Juvarra
Montagnana is a municipality in the province of Padova with perfectly conserved medieval walls
Bassano del Grappa with its Ponte degli Alpini on the river Brenta, designed in 1569 by Andrea Palladio
Marostica : The ‘Chess Game’ is the most important event of the town, taking place on the second weekend of September, involves over 550 participants and lasts two hours.
Asolo is known as ‘The Pearl of province of Treviso’, and also as ‘The City of a Hundred Horizons’.
Este : The House of Este held the city until 1240, when they moved their capital to Ferrara.

Ville Venete

All over the Venetian plain, but especially in the provinces of Treviso, Padua, Vicenza and Venice, stand the famous Ville Venete. The date of construction of these villas ranges from the fifteenth to thenineteenth century. There are approximately five thousand Ville Venete, of which 1,400 are declared of historical and monumental interest.

Parks

Cansiglio is a pre-alpine massif located in the north-eastern Veneto in the provinces of Treviso and Belluno.
‘Parco Nazionale Dolomiti Bellunesi’ is situated in the southern section of the Province of Belluno.

Lakes

The area of Lake Garda is a major tourist destination. Various towns along the lake, such as Lazise, Cisano, Bardolino, Garda (VR), Torri del Benaco and Malcesine, are popular resorts.

Mountains

Cortina d’Ampezzo, it’s situated in the province of Belluno and is one of the most exclusive mountain locations in Europe together with KitzbÃ¼hel in Austria and St. Moritz in Switzerland. It was scene of the 1956 Winter Olympics. To the north there are the Tre Cime di Lavaredo ,said to be a symbol of the Italian Dolomites.
Arabba lies between the Sella group and the Marmolada. Auronzo is in the upper Cadore. Sappada is in the extreme north of the region.

Thermal baths

The thermal baths of Abano Terme are an important tourist attraction. Despite being the most famous, Abano is not the only thermal town in the area. Montegrotto Terme and Recoaro Terme are other popular resorts.

Beaches

Venice’s Lido is an 11-mile long sandbar, visited by many tourists every summer.
Jesolo is one of the most important seaside resorts on the Adriatic coast, just a few kilometres far from Venice. Every year Jesolo gives accommodation to over 4.5 million tourists.
Caorle has often received awards forone of the cleanest beaches in Italy. Bibione and Eraclea are popular resorts too. Albarella island is a private island on the Lido that has some of the best beaches. Alberoni Beach is set in a nature reserve.

Cuisine

Veneto is known for risotto. It is a dish whose ingredients vary by location, with fish and seafood being added closer to the coast andpumpkin, asparagus, radicchio and frogsâ€™ legs appearing further away from the Adriatic. Beans and other legumes are seen in these areas with the dish pasta e fagioli being a combination of beans and pasta. Veneto features heavier dishes using exotic spices and sauces. Ingredients like stockfish or simple marinated anchovies are found here as well. Less fish is eaten in Veneto and more meat and sausages are preferred such as the famous sopressata and garlic salami. High quality vegetables are prized here with red radicchio from Treviso being prized as well as asparagus from Bassano del Grappa.

Galani
Pasta e fagioli – a dish of pasta and beans
Polenta con gli osei – Polenta cooked with wild birds
Risi e bisi – rice with young peas
Sarde in saor – marinated sardines

Drinks

Useful Travel Links:

Local Government

Politics of the Veneto

Veneto is aÂ presidentialÂ representative democracy. TheÂ President of the Region, colloquially nicknamed Governor or even Doge, in remembrance of Venice’s glorious tradition, is also the head of the regional government.Â Legislative powerÂ is exerted by theÂ Regional Council, the local parliament. TheÂ statute, i.e. the regional constitution, was promulgated on May 22, 1971. Even though it recognizes the inhabitants as a “people” (i.e. a distinct people from the Italian people), the region is not granted a form of autonomy comparable to that of the neighbouring regions Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Trentino-Alto Adige/SÃ¼dtirol.Â This is the reason why many municipalities have held referendums in order to be united to these regions.

Traditionally a veryÂ CatholicÂ region, Veneto was once a stronghold of theÂ Christian Democracy. Nowadays it is a stronghold of theÂ centre-rightÂ coalition, which has governed the region since 1995, under PresidentÂ Giancarlo Galan, formerly affiliated toÂ Forza ItaliaÂ and now toÂ The People of Freedom. The governing coalition is also composed of theÂ Liga Venetaâ€“Lega NordÂ and theÂ Union of Christian and Centre Democrats.

Media Galleries

Venice, VEN

Photos of the one of a kind water-city of Venice.

49 Photos

Verona, VEN

Photos of the romantically unique province of Verona, located in the Veneto.

40 Photos

Veneto

Photos of the northeastern region of the Veneto

61 Photos

Venice

{tab=Rialto District}

Rialto Area / Ponte di Rialto (Rialto Bridge)

Located in the San Polo district – Oldest and most famous bridge in Venice
Constructed in 1588 and the only bridge to cross the Grand Canal until 1854
Lined with small shops and tourists

Rialto Market

The Erbaria (produce market) and Pescaria (fish market) combine to make up this street market which has been located here since the 11th century
Fantastic views of the Grand Canal. Numerous shops and stands selling souvenirs San Marco Area – The Clock Tower marking the entry to San Marco Square points to the main shopping area.

{tab=San Marco}

Piazza San Marco (Saint Mark’s Square)

the main center of Venice
Packed with romance, pigeons, music and countless sights
Filled with tourists day and night
Popular for peoples watching
Free, however food/drinks sold nearby are very expensive
Surrounded by boutiques and sidewalk cafes
Note that sitting at a cafe or restaurant in the main square will be very costly

Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica)

Most famous church in Venice
Constructed on October 8, 1094 – Strict dress code (no shorts or bare shoulders)
Most dangerous place in Venice for pickpocketing
Over 42,900 square feet of Byzantine mosaics -Historic and Religious site; Famous architectural building; Art gallery

{tab=Palazzo Ducale & Murano}

Palazzo Ducale

The most impressive building in Venice
Offers a great tour

Murano

One of the three smaller islands outside of the canal
Located across the lagoon from St. Mark’s Square
Famous for it’s world renowned Murano glass
An assortment of factories and free 20 minute demonstrations

{tab=Transportation}

The recommended method of transportation into Venice is by train through the Santa Lucia Train Station located at the northwestern edge of the city.

Gondola Rides

Highly recommended for romantics
To experience Venice by nightfall, more relaxing and romantic gondola rides are a must-do. However noticeably more expensive, the extra cost is worth it for this unique view of this majestic city.
Average cost is between 70 – 85 euro for a 40 minute drift through the city, and an extra 30 – 40 euro for an onboard musician
Galleria dell’Accademia
One of Italy’s best art museums

{/tabs}