Venice is one of my favourite cities in Italy, and I can actually say it is certainly one of the most amazing places I have visited in the world. Just wandering around and getting lost in it’s maze of streets was the best part of all, but something that I noticed a lot of when we were first there were these stacks of wooden platforms all over the place. I couldn’t work out what they were all for, and there were a lot of them particularly around the San Marco area.
It wasn’t until our second day in Venice that I found out what their purpose was. We had spent the morning exploring St Mark’s Square and visiting the Doge’s Palace, and when we walked out of the palace we were amazed to find that the square was actually flooding!
When there are high tides in Venice, the wooden platforms are laid down in the flooded areas to create a raised walkway, so that people don’t have to walk through the water. It was an incredible sight and something that we just didn’t expect to see.
As we wandered around the streets of Venice for the next few days, the low lying areas flooded at high tide. Here are some of the photos that I took of Venice flooded:
The square outside the Doge’s Palace
Looking towards St Mark’s Square and Basilica
People line up on a platform to get into St Mark’s Basilica
A flooded canal
Fish enjoying the high tide in a canal
People watch as the water laps up over the edge of the Grand Canal
Flooding at the Rialto Bridge
A restaurant right on the Grand Canal with views of the Rialto Bridge is completely empty
Gondolas lie waiting at the foreshore at St Mark’s
{ 21 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow, those are some amazing images!
Erik recently posted..Photo of the Day- Vanderbilt Mansion NHS, New York
Thanks Eric. It was an amazing sight!
Dean Wickham recently posted..Photo Essay: Venice Flooded
Such beautiful photos. Inspires me to want to visit.
Emme Rogers @ Roamancing recently posted..A Picture & a Story that Would Create for an Interesting Time at Customs
Thanks Emme. Venice is an incredible city to visit and I can’t recommend it enough.
Dean Wickham recently posted..Photo Essay: Venice Flooded
When we were there it was so close to flooding, but it didn’t. Now I see what it looks like if it did
Pete Heck recently posted..NYC View From The Top
Hi Pete, I think it is a fairly regular event. I’m not sure what the flooding is like at really high tides, or how high it was when I was there. It was pretty cool to see though, and I guess it is a part of Venice
Dean Wickham recently posted..Photo Essay: Venice Flooded
That’s crazy!
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Celebrating Summer in Valdivia
It certainly was something that I didn’t expect!
Dean Wickham recently posted..Wachirathan Waterfall and the Top of Thailand in Doi Inthanon National Park
Loved these photos. Haven’t been to Venice for several years, but these made me want to get back soon.
Jeff Dobbins recently posted..Street Aesthetic of NYC
I’m glad you liked them Jeff. Venice seems to be one of those places that always stays in people’s hearts.
Dean Wickham recently posted..Wachirathan Waterfall and the Top of Thailand in Doi Inthanon National Park
Woah, something tells me we better get ourselves to Venice, it really is sinking! We’re heading to Italy next month and unfortunately don’t have the time to head to Venice. We’ve got to try to figure out a way to go this summer. Your photos are amazing. I can’t get over the flooding.
Deb recently posted..This Golden Eagle has his Eye on You
You definitely need to get yourselves to Venice, Deb. I’m sure you would love it and Venice truly is a photographer’s dream
Cheers
Dean Wickham recently posted..Wachirathan Waterfall and the Top of Thailand in Doi Inthanon National Park
We were in Venice just a few weeks ago to no flooding, but I remember it years ago. I guess it is more tidal than anything. I love the picture of the fish in the canal. As tragic as it seems to have the place flood, especially in Mark’s Square on a sunny day you get some GREAT reflections pictures like you have.
Andrew recently posted..Spending a Night on Milford Sound
Hi Andrew, yes I think it depends on the height of the tides. It seems to be a part of the Venice experience and it certainly does make for some great photo opportunities!
Cheers
Dean Wickham recently posted..Wachirathan Waterfall and the Top of Thailand in Doi Inthanon National Park
Really like the photos … hard to believe what happens to Venice during high tide.
cheryl recently posted..Street Art In Havana.
I’m glad you liked them Cheryl. I didn’t know that Venice could flood at high tide until I actually saw it.
Dean Wickham recently posted..Photo of the week: Ferry at the Sydney Opera House, Australia
Wow! i didn’t see that when I was in Venice!
Jade – OurOyster.com recently posted..Budget Travel In Samoa
Hi Jade, not everyone gets to. I just happened to be there at the right time
Dean Wickham recently posted..Photo of the week: Golden Triangle, Thailand
I think the admin of this web page is genuinely working hard in support of his web page, because here
every stuff is quality based information. Venice is the most amazing place in the world!
The Venice Carnival is awesome! The masks and clothing are beautiful and also
the scenery is merely sensational. Inside Venice, there
is always something new to seek out.
masks carnival recently posted..masks carnival
I’m sure we had a seafood dinner at the “flooded restaurant” in 2008, I do wonder about the future of Venetian canals?
Jo recently posted..Discovering Historic Quito, Ecuador
Oh that’s funny Jo. I’m sure you didn’t have your feet in the water at the time
I’m not sure what the future holds for Venice in general. This is why it’s important to experience these places now.
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