Venice is a city of beauty steeped in art and culture, with a history dating back to the year 500, when it was built on 118 islets interconnected by bridges to escape the barbarian invasions. ‘La Serenissima’, as it is known, became a sea power in the 10th century and reached its apogee in the 18th century when it was a cultural magnet for the arts, architecture and literature, before losing its independence in 1797 after being occupied by Napoleon’s troops. The Venice of today remains a sublime city unique in the world and, along with its lagoon, is a Unesco world heritage site. Venice has a per capita GDP higher than the national average, with its port activities and tourism being the main sources of income, alongside a sophisticated and creative craft trades sector.