Venetian merchant ships

Venetian merchant ships were integral to Venice's prosperity during the Middle Ages and Renaissance. Designed for cargo transport, these ships, such as the galleys and large cargo vessels called "cogs," were built for speed, stability, and carrying goods like spices, silk, and precious metals across the Mediterranean and beyond. They featured flat bottoms suitable for shallow waters, multiple sails, and reinforced hulls. Venetian merchants relied on these ships to establish extensive trade networks, making Venice a major commercial hub. Their advanced shipbuilding and navigation techniques contributed significantly to regional commerce and cultural exchange during that era.