Venice (1/9)

Truly the first example of a real multinational trading hub, Venice established itself as one of the biggest and most prosperous Italian states right from the sixth century, all the way to the sixteenth. Its famous canals bringing in the world’s most ambitious tradesmen from around the globe, Venice’s prosperity ensured that it would remain a key player in the international politics of the day. With one of the strongest navies ever seen, it was a bustling hive of activity and trading.