Venice

Renaissance Venice was a city of merchants that traded with the Byzantine and Islamic Empires to the East, with the Germanic nations North of the Alps, and with Kingdoms to the West. In the 15th Century, Venice was at the height of its power with colonies and a well equipped navy to protect its merchant fleet abroad. Its fabulous wealth financed the construction of sumptuous churches and palaces—and art to fill them. The city’s salty, humid air meant that frescos faded quickly and so in the l...