As a result of its1866 victory over Austria, Italy first gained control of an important city that had formerly belonged to Austria but today is very much a part of Italy. Which city?

The iconic city of canals became part of the newly formed Kingdom of Italy as a direct result of the 1866 Austro-Prussian War. This conflict, known in Italy as the Third Italian War of Independence, saw Italy ally with the powerful Kingdom of Prussia against their common rival, the Austrian Empire. While Prussia's military might was the decisive factor in the war, Italy's participation secured them this long-sought-after prize: the region of Venetia, with Venice as its crown jewel.

Ironically, Italy's own military performance during the war was quite poor. The Italian army suffered a major defeat on land at the Battle of Custoza, and its fledgling navy was routed at sea in the Battle of Lissa. Despite these embarrassing setbacks, Prussia’s overwhelming victory over Austria in the north forced the Austrians to the negotiating table. As part of the peace treaty, Italy's strategic alliance paid off.

In a final diplomatic slight, the prideful Austrians refused to cede the territory directly to the Italians, whom they had bested in battle. Instead, Venetia was formally handed over to Napoleon III's France, which then immediately transferred it to the Kingdom of Italy. The acquisition of Venice marked a pivotal moment in the Risorgimento, or Italian unification, bringing one of the peninsula's most historic and culturally significant cities under the Italian flag for the first time.