Venice’s Neighbouring Regions

The adjoining region to the east, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, suffered most during the centuries of Venetian domination. The dangers of living in the Friulian plain, with great barbarian invasions passing through after the collapse of the Roman Empire, drove many people to seek shelter on the islands in the lagoons or in fortified hilltop villages, causing a general depopulation of the more fertile parts of the region and consequent impoverishment. For centuries, warring armies marched across the countryside and breeding animals were used to feed the soldiers. Venetian boat-builders also chopped down most of the trees that covered the Friulian plain to make bigger, better ships. Even after the Second World War, the region was unstable: much of the area was claimed by what was then Yugoslavia, and Friuli-Venezia Giulia was not incorporated as part of Italy until 1963. Many of its towns still bear the signs of both Austrian and Slovenian influence in lifestyle, language, folklore and cuisine.