Discover 11 fun facts about Venice and impress your traveler friends

With its meandering canals, a dizzying labyrinth of small streets, regal gondolas, and improbable existence perched on a series of islands, Venice has long captivated travelers as an enchanting place full of history and a few secrets. Are you curious to learn more about the mysterious “Floating City”?

Let’s dive into eleven fun facts about Venice and make your trip even more memorable when you visit these sites in person.

1. The city rests on 118 islands separated by 150 canals

Many of the islands are knitted together with a series of 400-footbridges. Still, some, like the famous islands of Burano, Murano, and Torcello, are set further out in the lagoon and are only accessible by boat or water taxi.

2. There are no cars in Venice

Once you reach the city center, you won’t spot any cars: boats essentially take the place of vehicles in central Venice, and canals take the place of roads. A gondola tour at sunset is the perfect romantic activity in Venice.

3. Venice is known for its lace and glass artisans

Specifically, Venice’s most famous hand-crafted lace comes from the outlying island of Burano, while the best of its iconic glass is made on the outlying island of Murano. An interesting fact about Venice is that, throughout the centuries, these artisanal products have found their way around the world, including into the hands of several monarchs, such as England's Henry VIII, and even a handful of popes. During Pope Pius VII's papacy (1800-1823), he was known to appreciate the fine Murano glasswork and even commissioned pieces for the Vatican.

4. Only four bridges cross the Grand Canal

They include the wooden Ponte dell’Accademia near the Gallerie dell’Accademia, the Ponte degli Scalzi near the train station, the modern Ponte di Calatrava a Venezia (officially “Ponte della Costituzione”) that opened in 2008, and of course the oldest, grandest, and most famous of them all — the Rialto Bridge, which was built in the late 16th century. If you’re lucky enough to be spending a couple of days in Venice, consider making a point of crossing all four!

5. Venice was once an independent empire

The independent Republic of Venice lasted from 697 AD until 1797 AD — more than a thousand years. At its height, during the 14th century, Venice ruled all the way to Crete and along much of the Balkan coastline, controlling ports in places like modern-day Zadar, Croatia, and Kotor, Montenegro.

6. The Venice empire was extremely wealthy

Venice was once the location of the heart of trade between Europe, Central Asia, and the Middle East, and it became extremely wealthy in the process, at one time commanding respect as the wealthiest city in Europe.

The republic was ruled by a Doge (the head of state, who was elected for life) and a series of councils. The Doge’s Palace is one of Venice’s landmarks. It was the home of the Doge, the councils, the prison, and the general government center.

7. Venetian masks aren’t just souvenirs

Once used as part of daily life to conceal the wearer’s identity during parties that would have been looked down on by the Church, especially in the Middle Ages, Venice’s masks are intertwined with the city’s culture. Today, they’re mostly associated with the Venetian Carnival, but the masks actually have a more than 1000-year-old history in the city. They make lovely souvenirs for every budget, from 3€ for small, mass-produced masks to thousands for hand-crafted works of art. Maybe you can wear one while you explore Venice at night?

8. Marco Polo was Venetian

Born in 1254 to a wealthy merchant family, the famous explorer Marco Polo originally hailed from the island state. During his lifetime, he spent roughly 24 years living abroad, interacting with the Mongol Empire, and traveling along what is now known as the Silk Road. Eventually, he was captured by Genoa, then the arch-rival of Venice, and while imprisoned, wrote “The Travels of Marco Polo,” or simply “The Travels.” But here’s another fun fact about Venice: you can tour past his old home, although you’re not allowed to go inside.

9. Around 400 gondolas float through the city’s canals today

At one point in time, around 10,000 gondolas populated the city’s canals. In previous centuries, wealthy Venetians used gondolas like their counterparts in Rome or Paris used a horse and carriage. Gondolas also used to be used for transporting various goods and for public transportation, but modern motorboats have taken over those duties now.

Today, virtually all of Venice’s 400 remaining gondolas are used for tourism. A Venetian gondola ride is one of the most fun things to do in Venice and a great way to enjoy some of the best views in the city.

10. The Rialto Market is nearly 1,000 years old

The Rialto Market, located just steps from the famous Rialto Bridge, was founded in 1097 and has been an essential part of Venice's cultural landscape ever since. During the Venetian Empire, the Rialto Market was one of the largest and most powerful in the world. Spices, jewels, food, cloth, and animals from the East and the West were sold to buyers from Europe and beyond.

11. The famous horses of St. Mark’s Basilica aren’t actually Venetian

They have stood on top of St. Mark’s Basilica for hundreds of years, and while the horses of St. Mark are associated with Venice, they’re not original to the city. Acquired in 1254, the Venetians took the horses from then-Constantinople in the aftermath of the Fourth Crusade. And their actual origin? Their history predates even Constantinople. Here's an even more interesting fact about Venice's horses: theories suggest they date to the 4th century BCE and may have originated in Egypt or Rome.

You can visit the horses on the interior of the second floor of the St Mark’s Basilica. In the 1980s, the horses were moved inside to protect them from the elements, and replicas overlook Piazza San Marco in their place.

FAQs

1. What are some interesting facts about Venice?

Venice is a unique city built on 118 small islands connected by over 400 bridges. It has no roads, only canals, with the Grand Canal being the largest. Venice is also known for its stunning architecture and rich history dating back to the 5th century.

2. Why is Venice known as the “Floating City”?

Venice is called the “Floating City” because it was constructed on wooden platforms supported by wooden stakes driven into the ground beneath the water. The city appears to float on the water, making it one of the most picturesque destinations in the world.

3. How many canals are there in Venice?

Venice is home to approximately 150 canals. The Grand Canal is the largest and most famous, winding through the city in a large S shape and serving as a significant water-traffic corridor.

4. What is Venice famous for?

Venice is famous for its annual Carnival, during which participants wear elaborate masks and costumes. Venice's landmarks include St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and the Grand Canal.