Venice

Venice (Venezia in Italian) was an island city in northern Italy and capital to the Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia.

History
During the 15th Century, Venice was capital of the Most Serene Republic of Venice (Venetian: (Serenìsima) Repùblica Vèneta or Repùblica de Venesia, Italian: Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia), often referred to as La Serenissima in reference to its title in Venetian, and largest city of the republic. Historically founded by refugees from the Hunnic and Germanic invasion of Padua, Aquileia, and Altino, Venice developed to become a major trade and naval power in southern Europe, and by the year 1499 was engaged in sporadic conflict with the Ottoman Empire.

Even during the 13th Century venice had a notable Assassin presence, the area surrounding Venice was home to an assassin and his son – Domenico. Both enjoyed the patronage of the famed explorer Marco Polo, an ally of the Assassins. Their presence continued on into the 15th Century, occupying positions of command amongst the thieves, mercenaries and courtesans of the city.

Following the Templar failure to capture Florence during the Pazzi conspiracy, Rodrigo Borgia and his allies – the Barbarigo family – step up their plans to take control of the city of Venice. Influencing powerful members of Venetian government, such as Carlo Grimaldi, the Knights Templar assassinated the Doge Giovanni Mocenigo and placed oneof their own on the throne; Marco Barbarigo. By this time however, the Florentine assassin Ezio Auditore da Firenze had arrived in Venice and begun to counter the Templar plot.

Following the assassination of Marco Barbarigo and the ascension of his brother Agostino, an ally to the Assassins, Ezio Auditore chased down the last remaining Barbarigos' Silvio, cousin to Agostino, and his man servant Dante Moro to L'Arsenale di Venezia and liberated the city's military district. It was here that the assassin learnt that the Templar plot to acquire Venice had merely been a distraction for the assassins', so that the Templar's might dispatch their vessel to Cyprus.

Landmarks
Like Florence, Venice was home to many notable landmarks; these included the Basillica, Piazza and Campanile di San Marco, the Palazzo Ducale, the Grand Canal, the Little Canal, and Rialto Bridge. Annually, the city hosted the famed Carnevale in the south of the city. Typically, it was celebrated with fireworks, carnival performers and a series of games; the winner being awarded with a Golden Mask that permitted entrance to the Doge's personal party.

Basilica di San Marco


The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark (officially known in Italian as the Basilica Cattedrale Patriachale di San Marco and commonly known as Saint Mark's Basilica) was a famous cathedral of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. The most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture, it lay on the Piazza San Marco adjacent and connected to the Palazzo Ducale.

For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building was known by the nickname Chiesa d'Oro (Church of Gold).

At some point in its history, the Basilica became home to one of six Assassin's Tomb hidden throughout northern Italy. The tomb was buried beneath the Basilica, and was accesible only after pulling four timed triggers.

Palazzo Ducale


The Palazzo Ducale di Venezia, or the Doge's Palace, was an opulent personal residence for the Doge of Venice, the ruler of La Serenissima Repubblica di Venezi.

Its high, blank walls made it unscalable from all sides, protecting the palace from intruders; within was a large ocurtyard flanked on all sides by an arched corridor. It was here that Ezio assassinates Carlo Grimaldi, who had in turn just assassinated the Doge, Giovanni Mocenigo.

Santa Maria dei Frari


Santa Maria dei Frari was a famous church in central Venice and an important Templar base in the city. Known most commonly simply as Frari, it's tower was considered unscalable to all but the Guild of Thieves.

Assassination Targets

 * Emilio Barbarigo; Corrupt Merchant of Venice (DNA Sequence 7)


 * Carlo Grimaldi; Member of the Council of Ten (DNA Sequence 8)


 * Marco Barbarigo; Doge of Venice (DNA Sequence 9)


 * Silvio Barbarigo; Member of the Supreme Tribunal of Venice (DNA Sequence 10)


 * Dante Moro; Personal Bodyguard of Marco Barbarigo (DNA Sequence 10)

Trivia

 * Even after the events of the Carnevale, the citizens will continue to celebrate it for the remainder of the game, albeit without fireworks, in the district of Dorsoduro.
 * The enemies in Venice are far more skilled than the enemies in Florence, and are better equipped.
 * Venice is the only city where you can't use horses.
 * It is also the largest place in Assassin's Creed II.
 * On the border of San Polo and San Marco there are two painters who are looking out across the river yet they are painting a potrait of a personB