of his play Le baruffe chiozzotte, one of the classics of Italian literature: a baruffa was a loud brawl, and chiozzotto (today more frequently chioggiotto in Italian, or cioxoto in Venetian) is the demonym for Chioggia. Goldoni took his setting seriously: the play is replete with lacemaking, fishermen, and other local color. Main sights Chioggia is often called "Little Venice", with a few canals, chief among them the Canale Vena, and the characteristic narrow streets known as calli. Chioggia has several medieval churches, much reworked in the period of its greatest prosperity in the 16th and 17th centuries. The church dedicated to St. Mary of the Assumption, founded in the eleventh century, became a cathedral in 1110, then was rebuilt as Chioggia Cathedral from 1623 by Baldassarre Longhena. The church of St. Andrew (18th century) has a bell tower from the 11th-12th centuries, the most ancient tower watch in the world. The interior has a Crucifixion by Palma the Elder. Economy Fishing is historically the livelihood of the port, and remains a significant economic sector. Other important modern industries include textiles, brick-making and steel; and Sottomarina, with 60 hotels and 17 campgrounds, is almost entirely given over to seafront tourism. Demography Traditions and folklore During the third week end of July, the festival of Palio della Marciliana takes place. Particularity of Surnames Chioggia represents an almost unique demographic case in Italy: the most common surname among the inhabitants of Chioggia is Zennaro, while the most common surnames of Sottomarina are Boscolo and Tiozzo. Because of the large number of people with the same surname, the comune officialized what is known as detto (popular nicknames used to distinguish the various branches of the same family). These "third names" are inserted in every official document, including a driving license and identity card. Personalities International relations Twin towns — Sister cities Chioggia is twinned with: Lamia (Greece, 2007) Saint-Tropez (France, 2008) Trivia Chioggia gives its name to a variety of Beetroot, Radicchio (Italian chicory), and Pumpkin (Marina di Chioggia). See also A.C. Chioggia Sottomarina References External links Port of Chioggia Cities and towns in Veneto