Venice and Aleppo: Four Centuries of Commercial and Diplomatic Relations
The article explores the historical ties between Venice and Aleppo, highlighting how the Syrian city was a commercial crossroads between East and West. In 1548, Venice opened the first European consulate in Aleppo, initiating a consular network that lasted until 1866. As early as 1207, the Pactum Soldani Alapi was stipulated between Sultan Al Malik Al Zahir Ghazi (son of Saladin) and Doge Pietro Ziani, which granted privileges to Venetian merchants. Aleppo became a monopolist in the silk trade from Iran. After the opening of the Suez Canal in 1869 and the division of the Ottoman Empire, the city lost importance. The Italian community present until 2011 numbered about 280 people.
Fatti principali
- Venice opened the first European consulate in Aleppo in 1548.
- The Pactum Soldani Alapi was signed in 1207 between Sultan Al Malik Al Zahir Ghazi and Doge Pietro Ziani.
- The pact granted privileges to Venetian merchants, including the construction of a church, a khan, and a Turkish bath.
- Aleppo monopolized the silk trade from Iran to Europe.
- The Suez Canal, inaugurated in 1869, reduced Aleppo's importance.
- After World War I, Aleppo lost the port of Alexandretta, which passed to Turkey.
- The Italian community in Aleppo numbered about 280 people before 2011.
- Aleppo suffered two total destructions: under the Akkadians and the Mongols, but was reborn both times.
Entità
Istituzioni
- Repubblica di Venezia
- Impero Ottomano
- Repubblica Siriana
- Khan al Banadiqa
Luoghi
- Venezia
- Italia
- Aleppo
- Siria
- Gerusalemme
- Portogallo
- Sicilia
- Corsica
- Barcellona
- Iran
- Alessandretta
- Turchia
- Beirut
- Napoli
- Londra
- Marsiglia