Venice is a spectacular city built within a lagoon on the coast of Veneto. Nicknamed ‘The Floating City’, Venice is built across 118 small islands, many of which are so close together; they’ve been connected by bridges. Come and stay in a superb vacation rental near Venice and sail around this marine city for yourself!
Contrary to popular belief, the many buildings of Venice are not built directly on these islands but rather on wooden platforms supported by wooden stakes hammered into the ground and the seabed around the island shores.
Contrary to popular belief, the many buildings of Venice are not built directly on these islands but rather on wooden platforms supported by wooden stakes hammered into the ground and the seabed around the island shores.
The story of why Venice city originated here dates back to the 5th century AD. Bad times were upon the mainland Venetian people after the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Barbarians roamed the country, raiding and causing terror wherever they went. To escape them, many Venetians fled to the marshes on the Veneto coast.
They sought refuge on the islands of Malamocco, Jesolo and Torcello. These islands became the foundation of modern day Venice.
Strong wooden supports were driven into the ground of the islands and at the water’s edge and many tons of filling like stone and wood were poured around them before wooden platforms were placed above them and then stone buildings.
The submerged wood had little exposure to oxygen and with the flow of salt water around them, they actually preserved and transformed into a hardened stone like substance.
As bizarre as it sounds to expand a small island commune into a vast metropolis, Venice became one of the safest places to live in Italy for many centuries as it was secure from major enemy attacks.
They sought refuge on the islands of Malamocco, Jesolo and Torcello. These islands became the foundation of modern day Venice.
Strong wooden supports were driven into the ground of the islands and at the water’s edge and many tons of filling like stone and wood were poured around them before wooden platforms were placed above them and then stone buildings.
The submerged wood had little exposure to oxygen and with the flow of salt water around them, they actually preserved and transformed into a hardened stone like substance.
As bizarre as it sounds to expand a small island commune into a vast metropolis, Venice became one of the safest places to live in Italy for many centuries as it was secure from major enemy attacks.
In the modern day, Venice has come up against some new challenges that once were its greatest strength. Parts of the city are in fact ‘sinking’ due to the excessive weight accumulating on the islands’ surfaces.
The bigger problem is the frequent flooding caused by high tides and strong winds. Global warming has played a big role in this but many precautions are being taken by the Venetian government to counteract any long-term consequences.
Come and see the amazing ‘Floating City’ of Venice this year and enjoy its incredible sights and attractions!
The bigger problem is the frequent flooding caused by high tides and strong winds. Global warming has played a big role in this but many precautions are being taken by the Venetian government to counteract any long-term consequences.
Come and see the amazing ‘Floating City’ of Venice this year and enjoy its incredible sights and attractions!
Photo credits
picture 1: Archaeodontosaurus / CC BY-SA 3.0;
picture 1: Archaeodontosaurus / CC BY-SA 3.0;