To secure its preeminent commercial position and to protect its world trade--now including access to the riches of China, thanks to its most famous citizen, Marco Polo-- it was necessary for Venice to maintain the largest naval arsenal of any power in the Mediterranean. By 1450 Venice's commercial fleet counted over 3,000 vessels supported by its massive military might.

With great commercial success came enormous wealth to fill merchants and noblemen's pockets, and the money was lavished on the grandest of palaces filled with unimaginable treasures. The finest artists of the age were employed to decorate the palaces with paintings, sculpture. artful plaster ceilings and exquisite furnishings. The grand palazzos seem to float side by side at the water's edge. with each palazzo a costly and artful marvel. EveryVenetian family spent huge amounts of money to compete with its neighbor's costly and artful palazzo, and these examples of marvelous ostentation are still wonderful to see--even the one's needing a bit of sprucing up.

Not only is Venice dominated by waters from the sea flowing through its twisting canals, but by seasonal rains from Mother Nature. When the heavy rains come to Venice, they sometimes flood the Piazza Di San Marco with one or two feet of water. So as not to be stymied by a little water, this problem is taken care of in true Venetian form. After all, do they not live in the city of water? The boards are brought out, placed atop metal scaffolding forming wooden walkways, and citizens and tourists go about their business.

It is easy to forget that Venice is an island, not only surrounded by the waters of its lagoon , but veined by its many canalasso or canals that take the place of streets and avenues in any other major city. To take a taxi in Venice means taking a water vessel of some sort, and there are several styles and sizes from which to choose. There are sandalos, vaporetti, the traghetti for foot passengers, and, of course, the gondola. The traditional gondola is now used mainly to ferry tourists about. In fact, gondolas and Venice go together like Linguini and Parmigiano Reggiano, and every tourist must enjoy the romantic experience of a ride in a gondola. The gondolas are used in ceremonies, weddings, and to transport goods and people to every conceivable event. They are also an important component of the spectacular yearly regatta, a watery competition between the various neighborhoods of Venice that dates back to the second half of the 13th century. It begins on a Sunday afternoon in September with a ceremonial parade along the Grand Canal of historical boats, all manned by Venetians in period costume. Then on Monday, it's back to the tourist trade for the gondoliers.