Features of the development of trade between Germany and Italy in the 12-15 centuries.

In Germany, during this period, the Hansa trade union appeared, its creation by a number of historians dates back to the middle of the XIII century, and most often to 1360, it existed for about 250-300 years and united more than 100 cities during its heyday. The core was Lubeck, Bremen, Hamburg and Rostock, the northernmost was Bergen, and the easternmost was Novgorod the Great. Some Polish cities also entered it.

In Italy, the main trade centers were the republics of Venice and Genoa, they had a merchant fleet and in the 13th century achieved a weakening of the competitor – Byzantium, and the Genoese even in the Crimea had small possessions (until 1475). In addition, Amalfi, Pisa and Naples were major shopping centers.