Plausibility of Italy sans an independent Venice?

[SavoyTruffle]

Is it historically plausible or is it ASB for Italy to form without the Most Serene Republic of Venice? Bonus if Venice remains a European power into at least the 20th century.

[Vitruvius]

Do you mean for Venice to remain independent alongside a united Italy? If so then yes. There are a myriad of ways this could happen depending on the timing of the POD. For an independent Serene Republic it would have to be before the Napoleonic period (unless you count the Republic of San Marco). Probably just have Napoleon keep the Republic going - with some reforms. With some capable rulers it manages to stay out of Italian unification. It could even keep Dalmatia and Ionian islands. Its a neat and simple solution. I can't see Venice being a major power without a much earlier POD.

[SavoyTruffle]

I think a suitable POD for Venice to survive as a power would be to defeat the Ottomans in at least one of their frequent conflicts; I think a victory in the last Ottoman-Venetian War would be too unlikely.