Dogado

The Dogado or Duchy of Venice was the homeland of the Republic of Venice, headed by the Doge. It comprised the city of Venice and the narrow coastal strip from Loreo to Grado, though these borders later extended from Goro to the south, Polesine and Padovano to the west, Trevisano and Friuli to the north and the mouth of the Isonzo to the east.
Apart from Venice, the capital and in practice a city-state of its own, the administration of the Dogado was subdivided in nine districts starting at the north: Grado, Caorle, Torcello, Murano, Malamocco, Chioggia, Loreo, Cavarzere and Gambarare (in Mira). In lieu of the earlier tribunes (elected by the people) and gastalds (corresponding with the Doge), during the Republic each district was led by a patrician with the title of "podestà", with the exception of Grado, headed by a Count.
It was one of the three subdivisions of the Republic's possessions, the other two being the "Stato da Màr" ("Sea State") and the "Domini di Terraferma" ("mainland domains").
"Dogado" was the equivalent of "Ducato" (duchy), the Italian city states that (unlike Venice) had a duke as hereditary head of state.