Which Italian coastal city, famous for its picturesque canals, was a major maritime power during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance?

Venise

Venice, nicknamed "La Serenissima," was founded on islands in the Venetian Lagoon to escape barbarian invasions. Over time, it became a dominant maritime republic, playing a key role in trade between the West and the East and in the Crusades. Its wealth and influence contributed to a golden age of artistic and architectural development, as evidenced by St. Mark's Square and the Doge's Palace.