The Crusades (1095–1291) were a disaster for the Middle East and a gold mine for Italian merchants.
Plan a history trip →Italian maritime republics provided the ships, supplies, and financing for the Crusades. In return, they demanded trading privileges in every conquered port. Venice: diverted the Fourth Crusade to sack Constantinople (1204) instead of Jerusalem. Stole the Horses of St. Mark (now on the basilica). Genova/Pisa: competed for Crusader ports. Bari: departure point for Crusaders. The bones of St. Nicholas were brought from Myra (Turkey) to Bari in 1087 — essentially a holy relic heist. Military orders: Knights Templar and Hospitaller had churches and commanderies across Italy (San Giovanni dei Templari in Brindisi, €5).
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