Venice, the island city, was founded in the 5th century. From 697 onwards the Republic of Venice, also called the Serenissima, was ruled by doges. In the 9th century the remains of St. Mark were brought from Alexandria (Egypt) and are kept in the Basilica of San Marco (consecrated in 1094). In the 11th century Venice became a maritime power in the Mediterranean Sea. In the 15th century the dominance of Venice started to decline. The Republic of Venice was ended in 1797 and it became part of Italy in 1866.