Ludovico Manin 1726 – 1802

Biography

Ludovico Manin was born in Venice on June 23, 1726, into a city steeped in centuries of maritime tradition and republican governance. Throughout his life, he remained devoted to his native Venice, witnessing and navigating the complex political landscape of his era. His leadership would come to represent a pivotal moment in the Venetian Republic’s long and storied history.

In 1762, Manin ascended to the position of Doge of Venice—the highest office in the Republic. As the 120th Doge, he carried forward the weight of an institution that had endured for nearly a thousand years. His tenure coincided with a period of profound transformation across Europe, as traditional powers faced new challenges and shifting alliances reshaped the political order.

Ludovico Manin served as Doge until his death on October 24, 1802, at the age of 76, succumbing to edema. With his passing, an era came to an end: he was the last Doge of Venice, as the Republic itself would soon cease to exist as an independent state. He was laid to rest at the Church of Santa Maria degli Scalzi in Venice, where his memory remains intertwined with the city’s remarkable legacy.