High tide events are always more frequent in Saint Mark’s Square as a result of subsidence and sea-level rising. Which natural elements influence the tides in Venice and the lagoon? How do you calculate high tide? How does the square flood?
Today we laugh at the visitors who think you can get to St. Mark’s Square by car or by bus, but this was not such a strange idea for the engineers of the late 19th century who were trying to transform Venice in a “modern” city: let’s have a look at some projects aimed at making the lagoon city suitable for vehicles.
First of all, don’t freak out! High tide in Venice is a natural phenomenon that always happened in the city. Venetians are used to it and we are prepared!! The flooding season is usually in winter, from October to March.
Mazzorbo is a small island, neglected by tourists, in the northern part of the Venetian lagoon. The Church of St. Catherine is the one only surviving of the 10 once existing, testimony of the rich past history of this island that was described as a major city, and nowadays has less than 300 inhabitants. A modern social housing estate and a contemporary vineyard await us in Mazzorbo.
A brief article on cold winters in Venice starting from a story of a grandmother who recalled how in February 1929 the lagoon froze completely and how several Venetians, amused by this, ate with relish on the frozen surface of the lagoon taking with them table and chairs.
An unpretentious and concise outline of the complex issue of high tides and frequent floods in the city, commonly known as ‘acqua alta’, and an unbiased and updated resume of all the measures enacted for the safeguard of Venice and its lagoon. Read about how Venice is tackling the problem, and the scope of the whole project including the mobile barriers.
Recent Comments