On this day, 45 years ago, on March 24, 1980 (February 8, 1980, the lunar calendar), Suzhou City and Venice City, Italy became sister cities. On March 24, 1980, Suzhou City and Venice City, Italy became sister cities. The Republic of Venice (Venetian: Serenissima RepblicaVèneta; Italian: Serenissima RepubblicadiVenezia) is a Venetian city-state in northern Italy, centered on Venice. It existed from the 8th century until 1797. It is sometimes called Serenissima, which means "the most noble" in Latin. Comment: Venice is a beautiful and prosperous place.