Guide to Italy

Venice, the capital of region Veneto, is located in northern Italy. It is also called the City of Water for a very good reason. There is water everywhere. The city is criss-crossed with canals. According to Wikipedia, Venice is an archipelago of 122 islands separated by about 150 canals in a shallow lagoon along the Adriatic Sea in northeast Italy and connected by about 400 bridges. You get around on foot or in motorised waterbuses (vaporetti) or the classical gondola (more for tourists). If you are fed-up with motor vehicles and highways, Venice is the place to be in.

The buildings of Venice are constructed on closely spaced wood piles, which under water in the absence of oxygen does not decay. They are pretty hardy as most of them are still servicable after centuries of submersion.

Many says Venice is gradually sinking. This was actually caused by drawing of water from artesian wells. This was banned in the 60's and the sinking process has slowed greatly since. The city is prone to flooding though. Some have suggested pumping water into the soil underneath the city to physically lift the City to a greater height above sea level.

One of the main attraction of Venice is the St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco). I was there 30 years ago. It was full of pidgeons. I got myself photographed with the pidgeons resting on my outstretched arms. Unfortunately I don't have that photo with me anymore, otherwise I will get it scanned and upload it to this post.