It's our first Podcast Anniversary, so we tried summarising the past year's worth of content in three minutes and then chatted about our favourite stories so far and what we're looking forward to most in the future of the show. Also, Simon was confused about how Venice's (arguably) most famous son became a swimming pool game in the US. What is that all about, anyway?

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Intro and outro music is Primavera from Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, used under Creative Commons licence from musopen.org

We’re back with Casanova this week, as he finishes his teenage years and reaches his early 20s. For this mercurial young man, every risk is an opportunity, and every opportunity is a chance to make a complete mess of things. Within two years, he has screwed up two potential careers, lost a couple of small fortunes, and ended up right back where he started. Find out how as we follow his life and get beneath the legend.

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Intro and outro music is “Estate” (Summer) from Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, used under Creative Commons licence from musopen.org

Ordelaf Faledro is an unusual name, whether you're reading it forwards or backwards. He was Doxe of Venice for about 16 years in the early 1100s, when the city suffered a series of devastating natural disasters. With neighbours looking to exploit this moment of weakness, the city had to get back on its feet quickly. This week we look at how they managed.

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Intro and outro music is Primavera from Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, used under Creative Commons licence from musopen.org

This week the Venetian lagoon is the star of the show. These muddy, marshy islands are the home of something extraordinary. It’s easy to assume that Venice has always looked the way it does now, or at least as it did in the many splendid Renaissance maps that you can find. But as we head into the 12th century, the city is only just starting to take on an appearance that we would recognise today. Join us as we fly over Venice’s amphibious territory as it might have looked in 1100.

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Intro and outro music is Primavera from Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, used under Creative Commons licence from musopen.org

We're looking at Venice's contribution to the First Crusade and its aftermath. The crusading movement had set out to recover lost territory for the Christian Byzantine Empire. But within a couple of years, it had become a means of establishing a series of Latin Christian states in the MIddle East, which were quickly at loggerheads with the Byzantines. Venice had a delicate path to tread between these frenemies. She didn’t want to miss out on new commercial opportunities, but she didn't want to alienate her old friends either. Most importantly, though, she really wanted to take the opportunity to pick up a few more saints’ relics on the way.

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Intro and outro music is Primavera from Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, used under Creative Commons licence from musopen.org

This week we talk to another historical novelist who uses Venice as a setting for her work. We focus in particular on the lives of 16th century women, from nuns to courtesans.

You can find out more about Gina’s latest work here: https://ginabu.com/the-virgins-of-venice/

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The music used in this episode is from Vivaldi’s Gloria, used under Creative Commons licence from musopen.org

Before we move into the pivotal 12th century, we spend some time on a recap of the 11th century by focusing on the seven men who held the top job in the city. Which of them do we think had the most lasting impact, and best fits our five criteria to be acclaimed as the century’s Top Doxe? Will it be: Teenage Doxe; Two-names Doxe; Reform Doxe; Church-building Doxe; Golden Bull Doxe; First Gondola Doxe; or Big Navy Doxe? Find out what we think, and see whether you agree.

Email us at histvenicepod@gmail.com, or find us on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram.

Intro and outro music is Primavera from Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, used under Creative Commons licence from musopen.org

With the 11th century nearly at an end, Venice’s economy is motoring thanks to her hugely favourable trade deal with Constantinople and the relentless hard work of thousands of ordinary Venetians. But the international situation is volatile for the lagoon dwellers, with their main ally looking increasingly precarious. In the 1090s, Emperor Alexios’s call for western help against the Turks unleashes a new force that will rearrange the international chessboard dramatically, shaking up some of Venice’s most important markets. The Crusades have arrived.

Email us at histvenicepod@gmail.com, or find us on Bluesky, Facebook, and Instagram.

Intro and outro music is Primavera from Vivaldi’s Le Quattro Stagioni, used under Creative Commons licence from musopen.org