The Venetian possessions were called "Venetian Dalmatia" and enjoyed periods of economic prosperity with development of the arts and culture. Dalmatia was greatly influenced by the Italian Renaissance and many buildings, churches and cathedrals were done in those years, from Zadar and Split to Sibenik (Sebenico) and Dubrovnik. Zadar was the capital of the Venetian Dalmatia. During these centuries, the Venetian language became the "lingua franca" of all Dalmatia, assimilating the Dalmatian language of the Romanised Illyrians and influencing partially the coastal Croatian language (Chakavian). | The Venetian possessions were called "Venetian Dalmatia" and enjoyed periods of economic prosperity with development of the arts and culture. Dalmatia was greatly influenced by the Italian Renaissance and many buildings, churches and cathedrals were done in those years, from Zadar and Split to Sibenik (Sebenico) and Dubrovnik. Zadar was the capital of the Venetian Dalmatia. During these centuries, the Venetian language became the "lingua franca" of all Dalmatia, assimilating the Dalmatian language of the Romanised Illyrians and influencing partially the coastal Croatian language (Chakavian). |