Several theories have been developed on the town's name: according to a popular theory it derives from the Venetian dialect "mare c'era" with the meaning of "the sea was", referring to the presence of marshlands, where today, after the reclamation, stands the main centre. According to another hypothesis, however, it derives from the Latin word "debris" (wall built with dry stone).
Municipality in the province of Venice, located on the mainland opposite the Venetian lagoon, its territories also include the nearby industrial area known as Porto Marghera and various suburbs.
In the past the area was a marshland and the first settlement was of pile dwellings along the canal Salso, on the commercial route direct to Venice. This primitive agglomeration was eliminated in the early XIX century to allow the construction of Forte Marghera. As Venice had no suitable sites for its industrial development, at the end of the century, the inhabitants decided to reclaim the area for this use. District of Mestre, in the first half of the XX century, the area was designed to accommodate the industrial port, known today as Porto Marghera. Later, in the nearby, developed the residential area.

Attractions:
- the Church of Saints Francesco and Chiara, built after World War II and designed by Angelo Scattolin. The structure is massive, made of brick and features a Greek cross plan. The façade presents a portico of three arches that almost reach the outlines of the gable roof. In the apse there are nine niches decorated with as many mosaics. The church is enriched by eight stained glass windows;
- the Church of St. Anthony, embellished by exposed brick, features a large porch with three pointed windows and a gable roof;
- the Church of Madonna della Salute;
- the Church of San Michele Arcangelo;
- the Church of SS. Resurrection;
- the Church of the Nativity of Jesus;
- the Church of Jesus the Worker;
- the Church entitled to Saint Pius X.