As early as the 12th century, Venice’s vast shipyards were turning out fully equipped galleys at the rate of one every few hours. Local industry produced glass and luxury fabrics ​ — lace, brocade, damask, and velvet.
यानंतरच्या शतकांत, भूमध्य सागरालगतच्या अनेक राज्यांशी व्हेनिसच्या लढाया झाल्या.