I am becoming very interested in Venice's role and perception of itself during the Middle Ages through the Baroque period.  It seems that Venice considered herself a kind of heir to Rome, with a government that ruled in line with the wisdom of Solomon, and a direct link to Christ by way of St. Mark (rather than via St. Peter, as did Rome).  Indeed, Venice's influence extended past the Adriatic and seems to have connected East and West, thereby playing a pivotal role in medieval development.  I should add Venice to what I consider to be the "greatest" of cities of European history.