Historical Fortifications in the Lagoon of Venice
Venice, Italy
Trip Type: Historical & Heritage Tours
Duration: Flexible
Enjoy Venice Lagoon like locals do. With Bora Cruiser you will be introduced to Venice Lagoon's most fascinating corners, mostly unknown to the general public.
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Enjoy Venice Lagoon like locals do. With Bora Cruiser you will be introduced to Venice Lagoon's most fascinating corners, mostly unknown to the general public.The lagoon's fortifications can only be reached by private boat. They offer a rare view of Venice, usually out of reach of mass tourism. The fortification system of the lagoon of Venice includes:
- Forte Sant’Andrea (St. Andrews Fort), built in the second half of the XVI century, rises at the Lido “bocca di porto” port entrance of the lagoon. Definitely is the most suggestive and the part that contains the most history.
- Torre Massimiliana (Maximilian Tower) of Sant’Erasmo, built by Austrians during the second half of the XIX century.
- Forte Vecchio (Old Fort) of Treporti, which used to control the water access to the northern part of the lagoon.
The lagoon fortifications were built by the Serenissima Republic of Venice and the French and Austrian empires in order to protect the city and the lagoon. In the year 810 the lagoon itself, difficult to navigate due to the presence of shoals and sandbanks, was the main safeguard of Venice. With the growing influence of the Serenissima Republic, the protection of the city was entrusted to the fleet of the Arsenal with a function of a fortress and garrison house. Centuries later several other defensive structures were also built around the lagoon.
The fortification system in the lagoon includes the Sant'Andrea Fort, that rises at the Venice main entrance from the sea in front of Lido island to control the access and stop with artillery the enemy fleets. Definitely one of the most suggestive defensive buildings. A little north of Sant'Andrea you can see the Maximilian Tower in Sant'Erasmo island. This fortress was built by the Austrians during the second half of the XIX century. Going north you'll find the Forte Vecchio (Old Fort) located in Treporti, which used to control the water access to the northern sector of the lagoon.
- Forte Sant’Andrea (St. Andrews Fort), built in the second half of the XVI century, rises at the Lido “bocca di porto” port entrance of the lagoon. Definitely is the most suggestive and the part that contains the most history.
- Torre Massimiliana (Maximilian Tower) of Sant’Erasmo, built by Austrians during the second half of the XIX century.
- Forte Vecchio (Old Fort) of Treporti, which used to control the water access to the northern part of the lagoon.
The lagoon fortifications were built by the Serenissima Republic of Venice and the French and Austrian empires in order to protect the city and the lagoon. In the year 810 the lagoon itself, difficult to navigate due to the presence of shoals and sandbanks, was the main safeguard of Venice. With the growing influence of the Serenissima Republic, the protection of the city was entrusted to the fleet of the Arsenal with a function of a fortress and garrison house. Centuries later several other defensive structures were also built around the lagoon.
The fortification system in the lagoon includes the Sant'Andrea Fort, that rises at the Venice main entrance from the sea in front of Lido island to control the access and stop with artillery the enemy fleets. Definitely one of the most suggestive defensive buildings. A little north of Sant'Andrea you can see the Maximilian Tower in Sant'Erasmo island. This fortress was built by the Austrians during the second half of the XIX century. Going north you'll find the Forte Vecchio (Old Fort) located in Treporti, which used to control the water access to the northern sector of the lagoon.
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