Wondering Why?

Why is Venice built on water?

Venice is a famous city in the northeastern part of Italy.  What makes this city famous are the canals and waterways that are spread throughout the city.  The city itself is built on various islands situated on the so-called Venetian Lagoon which is part of two rivers namely Po and Piave.  With all the water surrounding much of the city, Venice is called “built in water.”

The water features of Venice and all of the city’s beautiful buildings and architectural landmarks are considered world famous.  When talking about Venice, people will almost always think about the waterways, canals, and the bridges that link one part of the city to another.  The whole city is literally built on “water” as there are various waterways within the city.  In fact, these waterways, or canals, are the main route of transportation not only for tourists but for many locals as well.  The gondolas of Venice have become a trademark of the city.  These watercraft, or rowing boats, have traditionally been the main form of transportation in Venice.  Although Venice is also connected by bridges and roads, the use of the gondola is still popular among the people.  Today, public transportation in Venice involves buses on land and boats on the water connecting different parts of the city.

With more than 100 islands separated by close to 200 water canals from the Venetian Lagoon, Venice prides itself as a bustling city above the water.  With all the water flowing through the entire city, Venice also encountered various problems involving the water itself. In the past, the city was constantly threatened by the surging tides of the Adriatic Sea.  With rising river and sea water levels, the people of Venice have tried for centuries to divert parts of the Po and Piave rivers in order to protect the city from constant flooding.  But despite all concerns related to water, Venice has continued to grow as a city and has attracted many tourists from around the world for its main features which are the waterways.

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