CHIOGGIA, DIOCESI di. - A city in the Venetian estuary south of Venezia, founded on two principal islands and several smaller ones. It is Pliny’s fossa Clodia, the medieval Clugia.
In 452 the inhabitants of Este and Monselice took refuge there. It was occupied by the Goths and the Lombards; devastated in the 9th century by King Pipino, and later by the Genoese. It took an active part in the war between Genova and Venezia from 1378 to 1381.
The diocese has an area of approximately 1,000 sq. km. and a population of 150,000 inhabitants, all Catholics; it comprises 47 parishes, 100 diocesan priests, and 21 regular clergy (1948). It is a suffragan of Venezia.
The origins of the diocese are uncertain. Among its bishops may be recalled the Dominican Marco Medici (1578), theologian at the Council of Trent, and his successor G. Fiamma (1584), an able orator. The Cathedral dates from the 11th century, but in its present form it was remodelled by B. Longhena (1663–74); its patrons are SS. Felice and Fortunato. Other churches include S. Domenico, rebuilt in the 18th century; that of the S.ma Trinità; the small Romanesque church of S. Nicolò; S. Andrea, with its Romanesque bell tower; and the oratory of S. Martino (1392), with an octagonal dome and decorative panels. - Vedi Tav. XCV. Enrico Josi