Back to the Roman Empire, the Mediterranean Sea, known as "Mare Nostrum" (Our Sea), was central to Rome's dominance. Read our Italy sailing guide to continue. During the height of the Venetian Republic, the Arsenal of Venice, once the largest industrial complex in Europe, was the heart of Venetian naval power. Here, shipbuilders worked tirelessly, crafting vessels that would dominate the seas. The speed and efficiency of the Arsenal’s production were so renowned that it inspired the term "arsenal" in several languages. While the port city of Genoa, home to Christopher Columbus, carry the legend that young Columbus would climb the hills of Genoa, gazing out at the sea, dreaming of far-off lands.
