Arsenale di Venezia
The huge Serenissima production machine was the world’s first big pre-industrial centre: from the 12th century onwards it was the core of the Venetian naval industry.
The area was chosen for strategic and logistic reasons. The first documented use of this area for shipbuilding and military purposes dates to 1104 during the Doge Ordelafo Faliero’s mandate.
During the 14th century, the original area was expanded until it reached 138,600 sq m. Later extension works led to the creation of the .
At the beginning of the 20th century the Arsenale started to face a period of slow decline since by that time it was unable to meet the huge requirements of the modern naval sector.
This area is sometimes used for Biennale exhibitions and for minor shipbuilding activities.
Moreover it has recently undergone a complex restoration and urban recovery process to transform it into a laboratory for contemporary art.
