The last ruler of the Venetian Republic, who surrendered to Napoleon's forces in 1797, marking the end of the Venetian independence. He's known for his role in the fall of the Venetian Republic.
Ludovico Manin, a name etched in the annals of Venetian history, is synonymous with the grandeur and decline of the Venetian Republic. He was the 120th and last Doge of Venice, governing the republic from 1789 until its fall in 1797, when Napoleon Bonaparte forced him to abdicate.
Born on May 14, 1725, Ludovico Manin was the eldest of five sons of Lodovico III Alvise and Lucrezia Maria Basadonna. He attended the University of Bologna and was a boarder at the noble College of St. Xavier, where he developed a keen interest in natural law.
Manin's meteoric rise to prominence began when he was elected captain of Vicenza, followed by Verona, and finally Brescia. His exceptional governance and kindness earned him the respect of the people, and in 1764, he was appointed procurator de ultra of Saint Mark's Basilica.
On March 9, 1789, Manin was elected Doge of Venice, a position he held until the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797. During his reign, he was known for his generosity, honesty, and fairness. However, his term was marked by the turmoil of the French Revolution and the subsequent Napoleonic Wars, which ultimately led to the downfall of the Venetian Republic.
Manin married Elisabetta Grimani in 1748, and although they did not have any children, he inherited the Villa Manin di Passariano from his brother Giovanni. This villa was later inherited by his nephew, Lodovico Leonardo I. Despite his wealth and power, Manin was a humble and pious individual who was fond of religious meditations.
In 1797, Napoleon Bonaparte's army invaded Venice, and Manin was forced to abdicate, marking the end of the Venetian Republic. This event marked the beginning of a new era in Venetian history, and Manin's legacy would forever be tied to the decline of the once-mighty republic.
Ludovico Manin's life and reign are a testament to the grandeur and decline of the Venetian Republic. His legacy serves as a reminder of the transience of power and the inevitability of change. Today, he is remembered as a symbol of the Venetian Republic's rich history and cultural heritage.
Born in 1455
Led a successful military campaign against the Ottoman Empire, and later became the Doge of Venice, implementing significant reforms and strengthening the city's power.
