Treaty of Venice
July 24, 1177
Barbarossa met Alexander III at the porch of St. Mark's basilica, held the pope's stirrup, and publicly kissed his foot. Eighteen years of papal schism ended with the emperor recognizing Alexander. Bishops, cardinals, and the doge watched a cathedral square full of Venetians weep. The ceremony was a masterpiece of medieval political theatre, choreographed to signal reconciliation while preserving each side's claim to supreme authority.
In context
Also in 1177 (4 other events on record)
- Battle of Montgisard · Middle East · War
- Cham invasion sacks Angkor · Southeast Asia · War
- Chinese blast furnace technology peaks · East Asia · Technology
- Battle of Fimreite in Norway · Europe · War
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in Religion
Era
High Middle Ages (1000–1300), one of 1,306 events from that era on Saeculum.
Sources