Venice

What it's known for

Its islands are separated by canals and open water and linked by 472 bridges. From 810 to 1797 Venice was the capital of the Republic of Venice, a major sea and trading power, and it is also the capital of the Veneto region. The city and its lagoon became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

Fun facts

1. The name Venice comes from the Veneti, an ancient people who lived in the region.
2. Many old buildings stand on wooden piles: tree trunks driven deep into the mud until they reached a harder layer below.
3. The Venice Film Festival, first held in 1932 on the island of the Lido, is the oldest film festival in the world.