DW (Deutsche World, German PBS TV, 11/18/19); CC Liu, Crystal Q. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly
Under threat: Venice needs to save its future
(DW) Built on ten million log posts, small islands, and mud banks, Venice, Italy, is slowly sinking. More than ever, the "Pearl of the Adriatic" is under threat. Having recently been hit by its most severe floods and with a state of emergency declared, what is being done to save it and its priceless art?
Well over 1,000 years ago the first wooden huts were built out on the middle of a lagoon -- marshland -- off the coast of northern Italy. The archives tell us these were the homes of people fleeing barbarian invasions in the aftermath of the collapse of the Roman Empire.
Later, with land in short supply, human-made areas were developed. But construction was far from easy; the bed of the lagoon consisted of sediment and mud, forming a foundation that was constantly moving and sinking. Yet, Venetian architects managed to build the city’s palaces, towers, and Catholic/pagan cathedrals.
Venice stands on a forest of wooden piles -- 10,000,000 in all -- which anchor the buildings to the lagoon’s muddy bed. The buildings themselves are constructed in such a way that they can compensate for movement, even earth tremors, without suffering noticeable damage.
Later, with land in short supply, human-made areas were developed. But construction was far from easy; the bed of the lagoon consisted of sediment and mud, forming a foundation that was constantly moving and sinking. Yet, Venetian architects managed to build the city’s palaces, towers, and Catholic/pagan cathedrals.
Venice stands on a forest of wooden piles -- 10,000,000 in all -- which anchor the buildings to the lagoon’s muddy bed. The buildings themselves are constructed in such a way that they can compensate for movement, even earth tremors, without suffering noticeable damage.
But the water the Venetians built their city on is becoming more and more of a threat.
Industrialization has played its part in disturbing the natural balance of the lagoon: The sea bed has subsided and the effect of the tides has changed, resulting in a water level in the city’s canals that is 24 centimeters higher than when they were first built.
Add to that the controversial presence in the lagoon of giant cruise ships: a source of income for the city, but also one that contributes to atmospheric pollution, as well as causing wake (water rise) damage.
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