Everyone knows the tale of the lost city of Atlantis. But do you know about the modern-day city sinking right now? It turns out that Venice’s days above water are numbered.
A 2024 study by the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology (INGV) estimates that Venice will be under 1.5m of water by 2150. It’s easy to shrug off that far-looming date; not many of us will be alive to see that doomy deadline. However, rising sea levels are already impacting Venice. In severe flooding in 2019, 80% of the city was left underwater, including the famed St Mark’s Square. The reality is that many of Venice’s most precious features and reasons to visit could be lost through water damage long before it permanently submerges.
Jacint Verdaguer wrote L'Atlantida to tell the story of the sinking of Atlantis. Why should you create memories in Venice before it’s too late?
1. Novelty Living on the Water
Experiencing living on the water is magical. Venice is intertwined with an elaborate waterway system full of gondolas and stone bridges. You’ve got to see this unique urban existence before it’s too late.
For those who have visited Amsterdam, Venice’s waterways are even more dramatic. Some buildings open directly onto the saltwater canals. These doorways sit a metre above the water, a boat tethered nearby.
Take a free walking tour of Venice with GuruWalk, and you’ll stumble across rich, ornate bridges with an opulent charm. While your local tour guide reveals the secrets of the famous waterway system, embrace the romantic backdrop as you learn about the city’s history.
2. It Was the Silk Road’s Endpoint
Venice isn’t just a pretty face. Did you know that it was the endpoint of the illustrious Silk Road? The trade route connected China with Ancient Rome, channelling food, materials, and ideologies. As a merchant hub, Venice was the perfect distribution point.
You can immerse yourself in lingering trading history at the Venetian Arsenal (a former shipbuilding centre) and Rialto Bridge’s market. UNESCO prizes the city for its Silk Road links; Venetian Marco Polo was a key figure in establishing trading across Central Asia, China, and India.
3. Operatic Culture
Dressing up for the opera in Italy is something you’ll tell the grandchildren about. There are a few beautiful venues, Le Fenice Theater being the most popular option. One of the city’s best activities is to doll up in your finery and watch a performance.
Operatic culture definitely motivates visitors to visit sooner rather than later. In fact, one of the world’s first operas was created and performed in Venice — experience its birthplace while you can.
4. The City Inspired Famous Literary Works
Venice isn’t just famous in the opera world. Renowned authors, poets, and playwrights found literary inspiration through its streets. One such creative legend is Shakespeare, who used Venice as a setting for both Othello and The Merchant of Venice.
Who knows, perhaps one day we’ll be reading stories about a sunken Venice. Make sure you see this muse of a city in person beforehand.
5. Traditional Food
Who doesn’t want to spend time tasting Italian food? Just know that there are actually some dishes you should only try in Venice. Because of the city’s merchant history, its cuisine is a multicultural pick-and-mix, also incorporating delicious seafood. Some dishes to keep an eye out for are cicchetti, baccalà mantecato, and polenta e schie.
A city’s food scene is a map of its history and culture; don’t miss out on Venice’s most traditional dishes.
6. It’s Ridiculously Photogenic
Beauty is everywhere in Venice. The Venetian Gothic architecture means plenty of ornate arches, stained glass, and distinctive tracery stonework. Everything is elaborate and elegantly romantic.
Take a free walking tour of Venice, and you’ll stumble across enough photo opportunities to cram up your phone storage. And that’s before you factor in waterfront scenes and gondola rides. Venice is ridiculously photogenic, and that’s worth seeing before it’s too late.
7. A Packed Festival Calendar
(Image Source: Costume Gold Mask Disguise - Free photo on Pixabay - Pixabay)
The city’s packed festival calendar should sway any potential visitors. Between February and March, people in elaborate masks and brightly colored costumes take to the streets in processions for the Venetian Carnival. In May or June, there’s an enthused rowing race at the Vogalonga festival. August to September is a more formal affair, hosting the red carpet Venice International Film Festival.
Think how bare the calendar would be without any of Venice’s near-monthly antics. Catch them before it sinks.
