The Venetian Most Serene Government (Veneto Serenissimo Governo, VSG), whose members are often referred to as Serenissimi, is a political organization active in Veneto. The group's goal is independence and self-government for Venetian lands and it is a bulwark of Venetian nationalism.
During the night between 8 and 9 May 1997 the Serenissimi took over a local ferry boat and occupied Piazza San Marco in Venice with "Tanko", an armored vehicle created by modification of a truck, and climbed the St Mark's Campanile in order to proclaim the "independence of Veneto" with an armed (although bloodless) demonstrative action. After eight hours, the Carabinieri stormed the Campanile and arrested the entire group.