Which Italian coastal city, famous for its picturesque canals, was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance?

Fact

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Venice, nicknamed "La Serenissima," was founded on islands in the Venetian Lagoon to escape barbarian invasions. Over time, it became a dominant maritime republic, playing a key role in trade between the West and the East and in the Crusades. Its wealth and influence contributed to a golden age of artistic and architectural development, as evidenced by St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace.