Though I was still little, I still remember how magical the city of Venice in Italy was, with water taxi rides, dining outdoors accompanied by the melodies of local guitarists, and a small theater playing an opera. Every corner of the small island seemed to hold a remarkable piece of history, contributing to its overall charm. Several days after our visit, a storm struck the island, resulting in the complete submersion of Piazza San Marco in water (that is not a rare sight allegedly)! I saw the pictures I could not believe my eyes. These pictures were taken at the Piazza San Marco. The lowest point of the famous city square is only 55 cm above the current sea level. According to studies, the average sea level in Venice has risen by approximately 32cm since the start of official record-keeping in 1872. If you do the math, you can tell how serious this problem is.

​

But before talking about the flooding problem of the city, I need to share what I learned about the background history of Venice. The city of Venice located in Italy, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, has ancient origins. Its foundation and development took place over many centuries. Venice began to take shape around the 5th century AD as people from the surrounding region sought refuge on the islands within the Venetian Lagoon to escape invasions and conflicts on the mainland. Venice is essentially a city built on a series of natural and artificial islands within a lagoon. While the islands themselves existed in the lagoon, the city's construction involved significant human intervention, including driving wooden pilings into the marshy ground, creating stable foundations, and connecting the islands with bridges and canals. The city's foundation was built on wooden pilings, creating stable platforms for structures. Canals and waterways were adapted for transportation and drainage, while bridges connected different areas. The architecture incorporated Gothic, Byzantine, and Renaissance styles, uniquely adapted to the environment.

​

Now let’s delve into the issue of the flooding. Actually, I don't know if flooding is a proper word. It seems a word, sinking or water submersion seems more appropriate to describe the situation. Predictions suggest that if sea levels rise by about 3 feet and 11 inches (119.3cm), Venice could be seriously affected by the end of the century, with St. Mark’s Basin (the lagoon where Piazza San Marco sits on) at risk of disappearing by 2050. Frequent flooding, including in the square, is becoming commonplace, impacting historic buildings, bridges, and the local economy. Venice has a long history of adapting to high tides known as "acqua alta." However, the sinking of the city's ground level, aggravated by industrial groundwater pumping, and more significantly, climate change, is causing more severe flooding. Efforts to combat flooding include moveable underwater barriers, protective shields for monuments, and projects like the MOSE barrier system, which aims to prevent flooding but raises concerns about environmental impact. However, the project is not without controversy. While advocates of the barrier system are firm in their belief that it successfully prevents flooding, there are also concerns among scientists that insufficient consideration has been given to the potential impact of the system on the brackish lagoon water. They argue that the elevation of the barriers depletes the marshes of the crucial sediment needed to maintain their health.

 

Sources: https://www.rmg.co.uk/.../venice-flooding-climate-change....

https://www.britannica.com/place/Venice/The-commune