The replicas of Venice around the Mediterranean

(CNN) – If there is one thing we know about Venice, it is that it is unique. What other city is built on water or with extravagant architecture?

It turns out they are quite a few.

The Republic of Venice, or the most serene Republic of Venice, to give it its full name, existed for 1,100 years, from 697 AD to 1797 AD, when Napoleon conquered the city.

It is an amazing time during a period when riots, coups and conquests were common occurrences.

And as he gained power, he built a pseudo-empire along the Adriatic, not so much on the Italian side, but on the east coast, in countries like present-day Slovenia, Croatia, Albania, and Greece. Its tentacles even extended as far as Crete and Cyprus.

As the end of the Silk Road trade route, the city-state was one of the most cosmopolitan in Europe, inspired by its sparkling architecture and bright interiors around the world. And he took that strange look, in the cities with which he ruled and allied.

This means that the eastern side of the Adriatic was once full of mini Venice, not interspersed with canals, but with the lion of St. Mark, the emblem of Venice, sculpted on the city walls; wells made in the Venetian style fields (squares); and those famous extravagant buildings, with porticos, side windows, and everywhere bell towers (bell towers) that look like those in St. Mark’s Square.

Today many of these mini Venice are left. These are some of the most atmospheric.

Piran, Slovenia

From the sea and by land, the bell tower of the beautiful Piran is a dead bell for the famous bell tower of St. Mark’s Square.

This is Venice, if Venice were a people. Part of the Venetian Republic from 1283 to 1797, when the Austrians took over, was a semi-autonomous city. It is not that he has been trapped in the past: he is believed to have been the first city in the former Yugoslavia to elect a black mayor, Peter Bossman, of Ghanaian origin, who was elected in 2010.

Sure, there are no canals and the small fishing boats moored in the city center are a long way from Venice’s ferries and cruises, but this small oasis of calm on the Adriatic has sparkling Venetian-style buildings in Tartini Square, including the 15th-century red Gothic “Venetian house” and a lion of St. Mark’s in the town hall. That bell tower? It belongs to the Cathedral of Sant Jordi, located on the rocks.

Istria – this huge wedge-shaped peninsula at the northern tip of the Adriatic – is full of Venetian cities. Today, it is mostly part of Croatia, with a splinter at the top based in Slovenia. Take a route along the coast and you will see Venetian-style bell tower behind bell tower.

Izola, nearby, is very similar.

Koper, Slovenia

Did you find the Rialto Bridge in Venice too crowded? Jump two hours east and cross the Slovenian border to Koper, where the city’s Da Ponte fountain (Da Pontejev vodnjak) is a reproduction of Venice’s most famous bridge. The mini Rialto, commissioned in 1666, is just one of many Venetian elements: this was the capital of Venetian Istria. In fact, it is almost right in front of Venice, with the Adriatic in between.

The cream-colored Praetorian Palace with turrets has a large external staircase reminiscent of the Doge’s Palace and the Cathedral of the Assumption has a Venetian bell tower, a bell issued by Venice and a work by Carpaccio, one of the greatest Renaissance artists of Venice.

Grado, Italy

Overhanging a lagoon full of island on its own sandy beach, Grado looks familiar. In fact, in the neighboring region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, 90 minutes northeast of La Serenissima, is known as the “mother of Venice”, founded in Roman times, but is home to refugees fleeing the continent for centuries V and VI – as Venice.

The bishops of nearby Aquileia moved their headquarters here, allying themselves first with the Byzantines and then with Venice. That is why you will see the Campo dei Patriarchi, as in Venice it is called a square rural area not a square, with its churches resembling those of Venice’s Torcello Island, a Venetian-style bell tower and long strips of sand, like the Lido of Venice.

City of Corfu, Greece

At the mouth of the Adriatic, the Ionian Islands were a key part of the Venetian territories and the UNESCO-protected city of Corfu is one of the best examples of the Republic’s influence.

The French took control in 1797 when the Republic fell, but previously the Venetians had built no more and no less than three fortresses, which still exist, as do the countless pastel-colored neoclassical palaces and the majestic logics that cover it.

Other Venetian settlements in Greece include Nafplio, in the Peloponnese; Syros Cyclades Island; and Crete, where there is still a Venetian lighthouse over the port of Chania.

Svetvincenat, Croatia

First of all: this is not in the water. However, half an hour north of Pula and far inland from the Istrian peninsula, this beautiful village still breathes Venetian style.

But the view that will take you directly to La Serenissima is the main square. The best example of Istrian Renaissance town planning, its church and bell tower overlook orderly houses, a loggia and a typical Venetian well. Wondering what residential Venice was like in the 1500s? That’s all.

Chioggia, Italy

When the crowds are too numerous in Venice, take the vaporetto to the island of the Lido and board the ferry number 11, which will split through the lagoon, ending in Chioggia, located on five islands, at the southern end of the Venetian lagoon.

Much of this fishing town will seem familiar: the beautiful canals, crossed by ancient bridges; the great palazzos; churches stuffed with art; and the brilliant views of the lagoon with the Dolomites in the background.

However, unlike Venice, cars are allowed to enter Chioggia, so the main street is a busy road, and some of these busy bridges have cars on them.

It is also an important fishing town and you will see the large boats parked below the church of Sant Domènec, as well as the popular art of these fishermen in the church itself.

Rovinj, Croatia

Another mini Venice on the Adriatic, Rovinj, may be a popular destination, but it remains a quiet haven compared to the mother city. Today, part of Croatia, this fishing town on the Istrian peninsula was transported between the Byzantines, Dubrovnik and Aquileia (another city linked to Venice) before yielding to La Serenissima in 1283, in exchange for its protection.

Do you think the bell tower of the cathedral of Santa Eufemia is familiar to you? This is because it was modeled after St Mark’s. The slender chimneys that draw attention also date from Venetian domination.

Today, once you’ve welcomed the lions of St. Mark’s sprinkled around the city, stroll along the boardwalk. You will pass through the thick pines to the stunning and modern Hotel Lone, which seems, perhaps suitable for its links with Venice, like a giant cruise overlooking the Adriatic.

Muggia, Italy

Nestled in the depths of the Adriatic “armpit”, two hours east of Venice, on the border with Slovenia, the beautiful Muggia is another village Venice. Its strong bell tower dominates the city, which entered the Republic of Venice in 1420; You will have a beautiful view from the harbor, where small yachts dock.

You will find the lion of St. Mark on the lemon facade of the town hall, the bone-white cathedral (carved like flower petals) is from early Venetian Gothic and the Renaissance-era houses on Oberdan Street are from Venetian style (although they are not located in a canal). The dialect, traditional costumes and signature dishes are also Venetian, although today it is part of the Friuli Venezia Giulia.

Korčula, Croatia

The explorer Marco Polo is synonymous with Venice, but what the Venetians will not tell you is that he was actually born on the island of Kurzola, as it was called, or Korčula, in present-day Croatia, about 400 kilometers south -is from La Serenissima.

Today you can visit what is said to be his birthplace or visit the 15th century St. Mark’s Cathedral, which not only bears the name of the patron saint of Venice, but contains two works by the Renaissance superstar painter, Tintoretto.

Under communist rule after World War II, much of the Venetian heritage, such as the lions of San Marco that splashed around the island, was destroyed. However, the Italian influence remains: the city walls are Venetian, a lion guards the front door and the words of the Venetian dialect sprinkle the chatter of the locals.

Nicosia, Cyprus

The Republic of Venice dominated the Mediterranean as far as Cyprus; in fact, every September 5 until today, Venice celebrates the moment when Queen Caterina Cornaro gave the island to the Venetians with a watery parade along the Grand Canal.

There are Venetian ruins and walls in Famagusta, in northern Cyprus, the de facto state in the north of the island, which only Turkey recognizes. But perhaps the most spectacular imprint they left on the island was the star-shaped walls of the capital city, Nicosia.

Today, Nicosia is divided in half: the border between the Republic of Cyprus and Northern Cyprus crosses it directly, but the walls, designed in 1567 by Giulio Savorgnan and Francesco Barbaro, remain.

Resembling a star, a comet, a sun, or even a Covid-19 cell, depending on how you look at it, the complex is best admired from above.