Veneto

Language

Apart from Standard Italian, Venetian is spoken in the Veneto region, more specifically in the city of Venice, and the area of the Tre Venezie; as well as in parts of Venezia Eugànea, Venezia Tridentina and Venezia Giulia, including Trieste. Bisiacco, one of the dialects of Venetian, is spoken in Gorizia Province. Other dialects include Istrian, Triestino and Venetian Proper. Venetian is also spoken in Croatia and Slovenia.

An archaic language known as Venetic was spoken in pre-Roman Venetia. The Venetic language is attested by approximately 350 inscriptions covering a span of five hundred years going from ca. the 6th century to the 1st century BC. Venetic is a member of the Indo-european language family, though probably not of the Italic branch, which sets this language apart from the other Romance languages and Venetian. The original Venetic script is based on an alphabet of Etruscan origin. See also: Extinct languages of Italy.

Cuisine

Veneto is known for risotto in various flavors according to the location. Fish and seafood-based risotto, such as risotto alle seppie (risotto with cuttlefish and black ink) are common closer to the Adriatic and vegetable-based risotto, with asparagus, radicchio or frogs' legs, are typically seen further away from the coast. In other parts of Veneto, polenta is the primary source of carbohydrates. Beans, peas and other legumes are seen in these areas with pasta e fagioli (beans and pasta} and risi e bisi (rice and peas). Ingredients such as stockfish or simple marinated anchovies are part of the Venetian cuisine as well. Brodo di pesce (fish soup) is a typical Venetian dish served all along the coast. Veneto also features heavy dishes using exotic spices and sauces. Sausages such as sopressata and garlic salami are common. High quality vegetables are prized, such as red radicchio from Treviso and asparagus from Bassano del Grappa. The most notable dish of Veneto is fegato alla Veneziana, thinly-sliced liver sauteed with onions. Squid and cuttlefish are common ingredients, as is squid ink, called nero di seppia. The famous Tiramisù dessert probably originated in Veneto, more precisely in Treviso, although its exact origin is still subject to debate.

Wine

Veneto is an important wine region with its 75314 ha of vineyards. It counts four of the top 10 appellation wines in terms of volume. Among the best wines of the Veneto region are whites like Soave DOC, Recioto di Soave DOCG, Prosecco, Tocai Italico and Bianco di Custoza. Reds include Valpolicella DOC, Bardolino DOC, Amarone, Cabernet Franc, Merlot (an originally French variety that was first introduced in Italyin the Veneto and the famous passito wine Torcolato di Breganze. The majority of the wines from this region are light and simple.

Famous people from Veneto

Palladio, the famous Venetian architect is considered the most influential architect in the history of Western architecture. He designed many palaces and churches, but is especially known for Palladio's his villas. The palladian villas are located mainly in the province of Vicenza, while the palazzi are concentrated in the city of Vicenza and the churches in Venice. A number of his works are now protected as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Paul II born "Pietro Barbo" (1417 Venice - 1471 Rome), pope from August 30, 1464 to July 26, 1471.

Petrarch

Pius X (Latin: Pius PP. X), born "Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto", reigned as pope from 1903 to 1914 and canonized in 1954.

Marco Polo was a Venetian merchant and explorer of Persia, India, and China who wrote of his travels.

Antonio Salieri, composer and conductor who became the Austrian imperial kapellmeister from 1788 to 1824.

St Anthony

Tintoretto (real name Jacopo Robusti) was one of the greatest painters of the Venetian school and probably the last great painter of Italian Renaissance.

Titian or Tiziano Vecellio was the leader of the 16th-century Venetian school of the Italian Renaissance.

Titus Livius known as Livy in Englis (ca. 59 BC at Padua - 17 AD ) wrote a monumental history of Rome Ab Urbe Condita, from its founding (traditionally dated to 753 BC) through the reign of Augustus.