Science & technology | Saving Venice

Why Venetians are pondering raising their entire city

A €5.5bn flood barrier has bought only a temporary reprieve

Visitors stand on on a trestle bridges as they admire St. Mark's Basilica during an expected high water, in Venice, northern Italy, Saturday, Oct. 3, 2020. Controversial and long-delayed underwater barriers passed their first emergency with flying colors on Saturday, protecting the Italian lagoon city of Venice from a tide that peaked at 130 centimeters (51-inches), a level that would normally inundate about half of the city.  (Claudio Furlan/LaPresse via AP)
Waiting for a boostImage: AP
|Venice

The relief in the City of Canals is palpable. For centuries, regular high tides—acqua alta to the locals—have flowed through Venice, submerging walkways, flooding buildings, and stopping boats from passing under its many bridges.

This article appeared in the Science & technology section of the print edition under the headline “Water works”

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