Why was Venice so important in the Middle Ages?
The city's financial and maritime power was immense
LIFESTYLE Italy
The port of Venice had an advantageous position in the Middle Ages. Situated in heart of a lagoon, at the north-eastern end of the Adriatic, its location facilitated the birth of a bustling marketplace. Trade routes depended on the sea, and Venice had easy access to North Africa, the Middle East, the Black Sea, and the rest of Europe. It's unsurprising, then, that the city became an important commercial center and a maritime empire. By the 13th century, it was one of the most prosperous cities in Europe.
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