| For hundreds of years Venice's Arsenale was the | | | | Napoleon destroyed much of the Arsenale after |
| ship-manufacturing centre of the Adriatic. At the height | | | | conquering the city, but it was reconstructed during the |
| of the Republic's power in the 16th century this was | | | | Austrian occupation (1815-1866). Today, it is a centre |
| the biggest shipyard in the world, employing 16,000 | | | | for maritime technology and not open to the public, but |
| people and able to turn out a sea-going vessel in 24 | | | | its historic gateway - the first piece of Renaissance |
| hours. Venice relied totally on her formidable | | | | architecture to be built in Venice - is visible. There is |
| sea-power, which defeated the mighty Ottoman | | | | also a good view of the complex to be had from the |
| Empire at the Battle of Lepanto. | | | | bridge connecting Campo Arsenale with the |
| Most of the Republic's ships, however, were for | | | | Fondamenta dell'Arsenale. |
| merchant traders. The Venetians were among the first | | | | The "House of Gold" is a Gothic jewel of a palace |
| planners to "zone" their city, putting all industry into the | | | | facing the Canal Grande. Built as Ca' Contarini in the |
| eastern end of the island complex and bestowing on it | | | | 15th century it is one of the oldest palaces in Venice |
| the Arabic word "darsin'a" for a house of industry. The | | | | and has for centuries been known as Ca d'Oro |
| workers in this immense production line were | | | | because of the rich gilding and polychrome external |
| accorded special privileges in Venice. They carried the | | | | decorations with which the facade was originally |
| doge around the Piazza San Marco after his | | | | covered. |
| coronation and acted as pallbearers in ducal funerals. | | | | |