Stato da Màr

State of the Sea
*Stato da Màr* (vec)
State of the Sea Stato da Màr (vec)
Overseas colonies of the Republic of Venice
ca. 992–1797
	; Map of the Venetian overseas domains
Historical era	Middle Ages
• Pietro II Orseolo's expedition	Late 10th century
• Fourth Crusade	1202–04
• First Ottoman–Venetian War	1463–79
• Cretan War	1645–69
• Morean War	1684–99
• Last Ottoman–Venetian War	1714–18
• Fall of the Republic of Venice	12 May 1797
Preceded by	Succeeded by
	Dalmatian city-states
	Byzantine Empire
	Kingdom of Cyprus
Ottoman Empire
Habsburg Monarchy
French rule in the Ionian Islands (1797–1799)

The Stato da Màr or Domini da Mar ("State/Domains of the Sea") was the name given to the Republic of Venice's maritime and overseas possessions from around 1000 to 1797, including at various times parts of what are now Istria, Dalmatia, Montenegro, Albania, Greece and notably the Ionian Islands, Peloponnese, Crete, Cyclades, Euboea, as well as Cyprus.^[1]

It was one of the three subdivisions of the Republic of Venice's possessions, the other two being the Dogado, i.e. Venice proper, and the Domini di Terraferma in northern Italy.

The overseas possessions, particularly islands such as Corfu, Crete and Cyprus, played a critical role in Venice's commercial and military leadership. In his landmark study on the Mediterranean world in the 16th century, historian Fernand Braudel described these islands as "Venice's motionless fleet".^[2]

History[]

The creation of Venice's overseas empire began around the year 1000 with the defeat of the Narentines by Doge Pietro II Orseolo and recognition of Venetian rule by Dalmatian city-states, allowing the Doge to call itself "Duke of Dalmatia" for the next few decades. Control over the latter, however, would not be stabilized until the early 15th century.

In the 12th and 13th centuries, Venice gradually established its rule over Istria, which lasted until the end of the Republic.

Venice's overseas domains reached its greatest nominal extent at the conclusion of the Fourth Crusade in 1204, with declaration of the acquisition of three octaves of the Byzantine Empire. However, most of this territory was never controlled by Venice, being held by the Greek Byzantine successor states, namely the Despotate of Epirus and especially the Empire of Nicaea. Venice remained an important player in Constantinople, holding the key position of Podestà until its Byzantine reconquest in 1261, and more broadly in the region during the politically complex period known as the Frankokratia. Of its Fourth Crusade acquisitions, it kept Euboea until the 15th century, the Cyclades until the 16th, and Crete until the 17th.

The aftermath of the War of Chioggia in the late 14th century saw another period of rapid growth of the Venetian empire. Corfu came under permanent Venetian rule in 1386, Argos and Nauplia in 1388–1394, the Adriatic ports of Durazzo and Alessio on the Albanian coast in 1392, followed by Scutari in 1396 and Drivasto in 1397.^[3] In 1402, the Battle of Ankara temporarily reversed the rise of the Ottoman Empire in the east, and the death of Duke of Milan Giangaleazzo Visconti created a power vacuum in northern Italy that enabled expansion of the Domini di Terraferma. The changed climate created by the Ottoman Interregnum and the ensuing Treaty of Gallipoli in 1403 led to a growth of commerce and the acquisition of a new string of fortresses in Greece: Lepanto in 1407, Patras in 1408, Navarino in 1410, and temporarily Thessalonica in 1423.^[3] In Dalmatia, where Venice had been forced to cede its possessions to the Kingdom of Hungary by the Treaty of Zadar (1358), it took advantage of the conflict between Ladislaus of Naples and Sigismund over the Hungarian Crown, and in 1409 secured the cession by Ladislaus of several of his Dalmatian domains —Cres, Rab, Pag, Zadar, Vrana and Novigrad— for 100,000 ducats.^[4]

In 1489, Venice also acquired Cyprus, which it kept until Ottoman conquest in 1570–1571.

The Venetian hold over navigation in the Adriatic sea was maintained for centuries, to the extent that it was labeled "Mare di Venezia" (sea of Venice) on maps of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries.^{[citation needed]}

From the 15th century onwards, the history of Venice's overseas empire is dominated by successive Ottoman–Venetian wars. Venice lost many territories but also occasionally gained some, most notably the Peloponnese from the late 1680s to 1715 and the Dalmatian Hinterland also in the 1680s. After that date, the remaining overseas domains, kept until the Fall of the Republic of Venice to Napoleon I in 1797, were all in Istria, Dalmatia, and the Ionian Islands, with none left east of Kythira and Antikythera.

Domains[]

The locations are listed broadly from closest to farthest from Venice. Where there is a difference between the name in Venetian language and standard Italian, the Venetian version is indicated first. Feudal lordships held by Venetians, such as Andrea Ghisi in Tinos and Mykonos, are included.

In today's northeastern Italy, Slovenia and Croatia[]

Map of the North Adriatic region, including the Republic of Venice's possessions in Istria and Dalmatia (mid-18th century)

1636 map of Istria

Kingdom of Hungary

Kingdom of Croatia

Banate of Bosnia

Habsburg lands

Patriarchate of Aquileia

Venetian Republic

Republic of Ragusa

Serbian Empire

Following the Treaty of Zadar in 1358, Venice lost its presence in Dalmatia for half a century

Venetian Istria:

Trieste, 1283–1287, 1368–1372 and 1508–1509
Muja/Muggia, 1420–1797
Koper (Capodistria), 1145–1797
Izola (Isola), 1145–1797
Piran (Piràn/Pirano), 1283–1797
Umag (Umago), 1269–1797
Motovun (Montona d'Istria), 1278–1797
Novigrad (Cittanova d'Istria), 1270–1797
Poreč (Parenzo), 1267–1797
Rovinj (Rovigno), 1283–1797
Sveti Lovreč (San Lorenso del Paxenadego/San Lorenzo del Pasenatico), 1271–1797
Bale (Vale/Valle d'Istria), 1331–1797
Vodnjan (Dignano), 1330–1797
Pula (Pola), 1145–1291 and 1331–1797
Labin (Albona) and Plomin (Fianona), 1420–1797
Plomin (Fianona), ?–1797
Pazin (Pisino), 1508–1509

Kvarner Gulf (Quarnaro):

Rijeka (Fiume), 1508–1509
Cres Island (Cherso) and Lošinj Islands (Lusin/Lussino), 15C–1797 except brief Ottoman occupation of Cres during the Cretan War (1645–1669)
Krk Island (Vegia/Veglia), 1480–1797 except brief Ottoman occupation during the Cretan War (1645–1669)
Rab Island (Arbe), 1409–1797
Pag Island (Pago), 1420–1797 except brief Ottoman occupation during the Cretan War (1645–1669)

Novigrad (Novegradi), 1409–1797 except Ottoman occupation in 1646–1647
Nin (Nona), 1328–1358 and 1409–1797
Zadar (Zara), 998–1186, 1202–1358 and 1409–1797
Biograd (Zaravecia/Zaravecchia after 1204), early 11C, 1115–1124, 1125, 1409–1797
Vrana (Aurana or Laurana Arauzona), 1409–1538, 1647 and 1683–1797
Ugljan Island (Ugliano) and Dugi Island (Isola Lunga or Isola Grossa), 13C–1358 and 1409–1797
Šibenik (Sebenego/Sebenico), 1116–1133, 1322–1358 and 1412–1797
Trogir (Traù), 1125–1133 and 1420–1797
Split (Spàlato), 998–1019, 1116–1117, 1118–1124, 1127–1141 and 1420–1797

Fortress of Klis (Clissa), 1648–1797

Omiš (Almissa), 1444–1797
Vis Island (Lissa), ca. 1409–1797
Brač Island (Braza/Brazza), 1268–1358 and 1420–1797
Makarska (Macarsca), 13C–1326 and 1646–1797
Hvar Island (Łexina/Lesina), 1331–1358 and 1409–1797
Korčula Island (Curzola), 1255–1358 and 1409–1797
Dalmatian Hinterland, mostly conquered during the Morean War:

Obrovac (Obrovazzo), Benkovac (Bencovazzo), Skradin (Scardona), Vrlika (Verlicca) and Sinj (Signo), 1686–1797
Knin (Tenin), 1647 and 1688–1797
Imotski (Imoschi), 1717–1797
Vrgorac (Vergoraz/Vergorazzo), 1694–1797
Metković (Porto Narenta), 1685–1797

Dubrovnik (Raguxa/Ragusa), 1000–1030 and 1205–1358

In today's Montenegro and Albania[]

Venetian possessions in northern Albania and southern Montenegro in 1448

Herceg Novi (Castelnuovo), 1687–1797
Risan (Risano), 1688–1797
Kotor (Càtaro/Cattaro) and Perast (Perasto), 1420–1797
Sveti Stefan (Santo Stefano), 1423–1797
Budva (Budua) and Sutomore (Spizza), 1420–1797
Bar (Antivari), 1443–1571
Ulcinj (Dulcigno), 1405–1571
Shkodër (Scutari), 1396–1479
Drisht (Drivasto), 1393–1423 and 1442–1478
Lezhë (Alessio), 1386–1478 and 1501–1506
Durrës (Durazo/Durazzo), 1205–1213 and 1392–1501
Vlorë (Valona) and Kaninë Castle (Canina), 1690–1691
Butrint (Butrinto), 1350 and 1386–1797

In today's Southern Italy (Venetian Apulian ports)[]

Map of Venetian domains showing the Apulian ports

Trani, 1496–1509
Mola di Bari and Polignano a Mare, 1495–1509 and 1528–1530
Monopoli, 1484–1509 and 1528–1530
Brindisi and Otranto, 1496–1509
Gallipoli, 1484

In today's Greece and Cyprus[]

The Eastern Mediterranean ca.1450 (before the Cyprus purchase), with Venetian domains in green and the Venice-controlled Duchy of Naxos (or of the Archipelago) in orange

The late-17th-century Realm of the Morea, divided into Achaea, Messenia, Laconia and "Romania"

17th-century map of the Venetian Realm of Candia (Crete) with its four provinces (from West to East) of La Canea, Retimo, Candia and Sitia

Destruction of the Parthenon in Athens by Venetian commander Francesco Morosini in 1687, early-18th century depiction

Map by Giovanni Francesco Camocio (1501–1575)

Contemporary map

16th-century depiction of the Venetian Walls of Nicosia and their footprint in today's urban landscape.

Kerkyra Island (Corfù) and Paxi Island (Passo), 1207–1214 and 1386–1797
Parga (Parga), 1401–1797 with several brief Ottoman occupations
Preveza (Prevesa), 1401–1463, 1684–1699, 1717–1797
Arta (Arta), 1717–1797
Vonitsa (Vonizza), 1684–1797
Lefkada Island (Santa Maura), 1362–1479, 1502–1503, 1684–1797
Cephalonia Island (Cefalonia), 1500–1797
Ithaca Island (Itaca), 1503–1797
Zakynthos Island (Zante), 1479–1797
Nafpaktos (Lepanto), 1390 and 1407–1499
Amfissa (Salona), 1687–1697
Peloponnese (Morea): various outposts until Ottoman conquest in the 15th-16th centuries, then region–wide Venetian rule 1688–1715 as Realm of the Morea

Patras (Patraso/Patrasso), 1408–1430 and 1687–1715
Pylos (Navarino), 1417–1501 and 1686–1715
Methoni (Modon/Modone), 1207–1500 and 1686–1715
Koroni (Coron/Corone), 1207–1500 and 1685–1715
Mani Peninsula (Braccio della Maina), 1487–1499
Monemvasia (Malvasia), 1464–1540 and 1690–1715
Argos (Argo), 1394–1462 and 1687–1715
Nafplio (Napoli di Romània), 1388–1540 and 1686–1715

Kythira Island (Cerigo) and Antikythera Island (Cerigotto), 1238–1715 and 1718–1797
Crete, known to Venice as the Realm of Candia:

Chania (La Canea), ca. 1210–1263 and 1285–1645
Rethymno (Retimo), ca. 1210–1646
Sitia (Sitia), ca. 1210–1651
Heraklion (Candia), ca. 1210–1669
Gramvousa Island (Grabusa), ca. 1210–1691
Souda Islet (Suda) and Spinalonga Island (Spinalonga), ca. 1210–1715

In the Dodecanese:

Karpathos (Scarpanto) and Kasos (Caso), 1306–1538
Halki (Calchi), 1204–?
Tilos (Piscopi)
Kalymnos (Calimno), 1207–1310
Leros (Lero), 13th century–1309
Patmos (Patmo), 1659–1669
Astypalaia (Stampalia), 1207–1522 and 1648–1668

the Cyclades, most of which Venice held as the Duchy of the Archipelago:

Syros (Siro), 1207–1522
Paros (Paro), Antiparos (Antiparo) and Mykonos (Micono), 1207–1537
Naxos (Nasso), Milos (Milo), Folegandros (Policandro), Andros (Andro), Ios (Io), Amorgos (Amorgo), Kimolos (Argentiera), Sikinos (Sicandro), 1207–1566
Santorini (Santorini), 1207–ca. 1280 and 1301–1576
Kythnos (Citno) and Sifnos (Sifanto), 1207–1617
Tinos (Tino), 1207–1715

Saronic Islands:

Spetses (Velvina or Spezia), 1220–1460
Hydra (Idra), 1204–1566
Poros, together with (on the mainland) Methana, Troezen (Damala) and Epidaurus (Epidauro), 1484–1715
Aegina (Egina), 1451–1537

Athens (Atene), 1394–1403 and 1687–1688
Euboea Island (Negroponte), 1211–1470

Pteleos, 1322–1470

the Sporades including Skiathos (Sciato), Skopelos (Scopelo), Alonnisos (Alonneso) and Skyros (Sciro), 1207–1270s and 1453–1538
Lemnos Island (Lemno), 1464–1479 and 1656–1657
Samothrace Island (Samotracia), 1204–1355
Thessaloniki (Salonico/Salonicco), 1423–1430
Gelibolu Peninsula (Gallipoli) and Tekirdağ (Rodosto), 1204–1235
Beyoğlu (Pera) neighborhood in Constantinople, 1204–1261
Gökçeada Island (Imbro), 1377–1462
Bozcaada Island (Tenedo), 1377–1381, ?–1455 and 1656–1657
Cyprus Island (Sipro/Cipro), 1489–1570

Famagusta (Famagosta), 1489–1571

In today's Russia[]

Tanais (Tana), 13C–1332

Notes[]

^ Map of venetian forts & presence in the Stato da Mar of southern Balkans
^ "Sur le grand axe de sa puissance, ces îles sont la flotte immobile de Venise." Fernand Braudel (1949). La Méditerranée et le monde méditerranéen à l'époque de Philippe II, 1 : La part du milieu. Paris: Armand Colin. p. 149.
^ Jump up to: ^a ^b Gullino 1996, § La politica delle annessioni.
^ Gullino 1996, § La conquista della Dalmazia (1409–1420).

Bibliography[]

Arbel, Benjamin (1996). "Colonie d'oltremare". In Alberto Tenenti; Ugo Tucci (eds.). Storia di Venezia. Dalle origini alla caduta della Serenissima (in Italian). V: Il Rinascimento. Società ed economia. Rome: Enciclopedia Italiana. pp. 947–985. OCLC 644711009.
Crowley, Roger (2011). City of Fortune - How Venice Won and lost a Naval Empire. London: Faber and Faber. ISBN 978-0-571-24594-9.
Da Mosto, Andrea (1937). L'Archivio di Stato di Venezia. Rome: Biblioteca d'Arte editrice.
Gullino, Giuseppe (1996). "Le frontiere navali". In Alberto Tenenti; Ugo Tucci (eds.). Storia di Venezia. Dalle origini alla caduta della Serenissima (in Italian). IV: Il Rinascimento. Politica e cultura. Rome: Enciclopedia Italiana. pp. 13–111. OCLC 644711024.
Mutinelli, Fabio (1851). Lessico Veneto. Venice: tipografia Giambattista Andreola.

[1] Map of venetian forts & presence in the Stato da Mar of southern Balkans

[2] "Sur le grand axe de sa puissance, ces îles sont la flotte immobile de Venise." Fernand Braudel (1949). La Méditerranée et le monde méditerranéen à l'époque de Philippe II, 1 : La part du milieu. Paris: Armand Colin. p. 149.

[FOOTNOTEGullino1996§_La_politica_delle_annessioni-3] Jump up to: ^a ^b Gullino 1996, § La politica delle annessioni.

[FOOTNOTEGullino1996§_La_conquista_della_Dalmazia_(1409–1420)-4] Gullino 1996, § La conquista della Dalmazia (1409–1420).

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

show v Stato da Màr of the Republic of Venice
Adriatic Sea	Istria (10th century – 1797) Dalmatia (11th century – 1797) Durazzo (Durrës) (1205–1213, 1392–1501) Venetian Albania (1420–1797)
Ionian Islands and dependencies	Cerigo (Cythera) and Cerigotto (Anticythera) (1363–1797) Corfu and Paxi (1386–1797) Parga (1401–1797) Zante (Zakynthos) (1479–1797) Cephalonia (1500–1797) Ithaca (1500–1797) Santa Maura (Leucas) (1684–1797) Vonitsa (1684–1797) Preveza (1717–1797)
Mainland Greece	Modon and Coron (1207–1500) Negroponte (Euboea) (1209/1390–1470) Pteleos (1322–1470) Napoli di Romania (Nafplio) (1388–1540) Argos (1394–1463) Lepanto (Nafpaktos) (1407–1540, 1687–1699) Patras (1408–1413) Athens (1395–1402) Thessalonica (1423–1430) Navarino (1417–1500) Monemvasia (1463–1540) Kingdom of the Morea (1687–1715)
Aegean Islands	Hydra (1204-1566) Samothrachi (1204-1355) Spezia (1220-1460) Crete (1205–1669), then only Souda, Gramvousa and Spinalonga (until 1715) Mykonos (1390–1537) Duchy of the Archipelago (1383–1537/79), then only Sifnos (1383–1617) and Tinos (1390–1715) Skiathos, Skopelos, Alonissos and Skyros (1453–1538) Aegina (1451–1537, 1687–1715) Poros (1484–1715)
Other	Constantinople (1204–1261) Gallipoli (1204–1235) Rodosto (1204–1235) Soldaia (Sudak) (13th century – 1365) Cyprus (1489–1571)
Related articles	Fourth Crusade Partitio Romaniae Podestà of Constantinople Frankokratia Ottoman–Venetian wars Venetian–Genoese wars Venetian navy Fall of the Republic of Venice