Veneto

Veneto is a major administrative region located in the north-east of Italy.

It is one of the 20 official regions of the country. As of 2025, it is the 4th most populous region in Italy. The total population reaches 4,851,851 people. Venice serves as the regional capital. However, Verona is the largest city in the territory. The region's landscape is diverse, containing mountains, lakes, and rivers.

The history of the area begins with the Euganei people. Between the 2nd and 1st millennium BC, they inhabited the region. Later, the Veneti people, or Palaeoveneti, arrived. Some ancient historians linked them to the fall of Troy in the 12th century BC. These people were led by a prince named Antenor. Other historians suggest the Veneti had Celtic origins. They spoke a language called Venetic. This was an Indo-European language. It was related to Latin but remained distinct. The Veneti grew wealthy through horse breeding and amber trade.

Rome eventually expanded its influence over the Veneti. During the 3rd century BC, the Veneti allied with Rome. They even sent soldiers to fight against Hannibal during the Second Punic War. Many Venetians died at the Battle of Cannae in 216 BC. Rome established a colony at Aquileia in 181 BC. This helped protect the area from hostile groups. Rome built several major roads to connect the region. The Via Postumia linked Aquileia to Genoa. The Via Claudia connected several cities like Treviso and Verona.

The Roman period changed the culture of the region. By the 1st century AD, Latin replaced the Venetic language. Many cities adopted Roman customs and dress. However, the region faced many barbarian invasions later. The Quadi and Marcomanni invaded in 166 AD. In 452 AD, the Huns attacked under the leader Attila. Attila laid siege to Aquileia and turned it into a ruin. This forced many people to move toward the lagoons for safety. These coastal settlements eventually grew into cities like Venice.

After the Roman era, the region saw many different rulers. The Lombards invaded in 568 AD. They divided the territory into many small feuds. These were ruled by Germanic dukes and counts. Later, the Franks took political control in the 8th century. In the 10th century, the area became part of the Holy Roman Empire. Venetian cities eventually formed the Lombard League. This alliance fought against Emperor Frederick I, also known as Barbarossa. The cities fought to protect their own rights.

The Republic of Venice became a dominant power. It was one of the largest maritime republics in the world. It ruled over a massive trade empire for centuries.

After the Napoleonic Wars, the region changed hands again. It became part of the Austrian Empire as the Kingdom of Lombardy–Venetia. In 1866, Veneto joined the Kingdom of Italy. This happened because of the Third Italian War of Independence. Today, the region maintains a strong sense of identity. The Statute of Veneto refers to its citizens as "the Venetian people."

Modern Veneto is a place of migration and change. In the past, many people left the region to find work. Today, it is a major destination for immigrants. In 2024, there were 655,026 foreign residents. This represents 13.5% of the total population. Large groups come from Romania, Moldova, and Morocco. Many others come from Albania and China. Most people speak Italian, but many also speak Venetian. The region is also known for its autonomy movements. In 2017, a referendum showed 98.1% of voters supported more autonomy.