The flag of the Republic of Venice.
The Most Serene Republic of Venice (Italian: Serenissima Repubblica di Venezia, Venetian: Serenísima Repúblega de Venèsia), was a state where modern Venice is now. It existed for one thousand one hundred years, from the late 7th century until the late 18th century (1797, when it was conquered by Napoleon). It was an great economic and trading power which was ruled by a leader called the Doge.
The Republic of Venice in the XVI century (in light blue)