Malamocco

Santa Maria Assunta

Malamocco is one of the three narrow inlets in the enclosing coastal dune bar that connect the Venetian Lagoon with the Adriatic Sea, together with the Lido and Chioggia inlets. The little locality of Malamocco, in old texts given as Metamaucum, is situated at the southern end of the Lido island, from which a narrow circular canal separates it, a reminder of the active fishing port once located here. The actual entrance to the lagoon, porto degli Alberoni, is situated some kilometers farther to the south.

Malamocco has a parish church, now dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, that dates in part to the 12th century, with 14th and 15th century additions. The 15th century Palazzo del Podestà is in Gothic style. There is a fortification.

Theodatus, the second doge of Venice (742–755), moved the ducal seat from Eraclea to Malamocco, where it remained until 812, when it was moved to the Rialto after the exile of doge Obelerius, who returned with the support of Malamocco in 832, but was defeated and the district burnt. During the period of the Republic, Malamocco was one of nine districts of the Dogado. It was ruled by a podestà elected for a sixteen-month term.

Coordinates: 45°22′18″N 12°20′18″E / 45.3717°N 12.3383°E / 45.3717; 12.3383