Patrons of Venice

The Patrons of Venice, also known as the Scuola dei Mercanti, were a group of influential merchants and craftsmen who played a significant role in the social and economic life of Venice during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. They organized to support communal projects, fund religious and civic buildings, and foster trade. Their collective efforts helped shape Venice’s unique architecture and cultural heritage, illustrating how a professional and civic association could influence the city’s development and sustain its prosperity through collaboration and shared interests.