The Venetians are used to the seasonal invasions of water invading shops and homes with a system of sirens to warn of the impending flood,pumps and platforms to traverse. Another essential items are thigh-high wellington boots and a strong stride across knee deep torrents.In the shops and houses water doesnt ususally enter through the doors but seeps up out of the floor so it is impossible to stop it like an insiduous burglar.Remember Venice is actually floating - what seems solid ground is really an illusion so the inhabitants weary after rising at 4 oclock to the alarm warning must wait until the tide drops for mopup operations . Customers in expensive restauaraunts are carried to the platforms in a type of wheelbarrow so their shoes didnt touch the ground.The courtesans of days gone by wore very high platform clogs(Zoccoli) made of wood to address this problem which is actually becoming more acute these days due to acidity erosion of foundations.
The high tides combined with tropical rain which is bucketting down as we speak will push up the level of the tide to more than a metre today.
Unfortunately the glorious city of Genova has not escaped Natures powerful fury with a catastrophe there in the last few days that has provoked rage and grief in all of Italy.
Climate change is impinging on the grand glory of the Italian cultural heritage and its people...
Unfortunately the glorious city of Genova has not escaped Natures powerful fury with a catastrophe there in the last few days that has provoked rage and grief in all of Italy.