Venice has always been a beloved city thanks to its unique charm, and it is undeniable that the water it floats on has played quite a role. Here are a few ways water has added to the character that is Venice.

1. Venice Roots & Origins
What Makes the ‘Floating City’ Float?

Youth Committee of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO, Italy

How did the wood keep from rotting all this time?

Thanks to the natural wonders of science, Venice keeps afloat due to the absorbed sediment beneath the waters, and lack of exposure to oxygen which has helped petrify the ancient wooden logs.

2. Venice Acqua Alta
Climate & High Tides

Tanja Milbourne, The Flooding of Venice, Palazzo Mora, 2016. Photograph mock-up proposal (From the collection of Time Space Existence - Biennale Architettura 2016)

Flooding happens approximately 4 times year, generally around November and December, and it is slowly taking its toll on this 1600-year-old city.

Flood Damage, Venice (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)

Known as “acqua alta” to Venetians, the flooding has become such an issue that the famous “acqua alta of 1966” left residents without homes, reaching a record level 6 feet of high tide water.

3. Venice Is Home to a Farm
Where There Is Rainfall, There’s Prosecco

Cicoria novella di Sant Erasmo (From the collection of Youth Committee for the Italian National Commission for UNESCO)

If that wasn’t enough, Sant Erasmo is also the agricultural hub of Venice growing the likes of fresh chicory, artichokes and… prosecco. Thanks to the climate and natural rainfall of the area, the sparkling Italian wine that is native to northern Italy can also be found as a local Venetian product in most bacari (finger food restaurants typical of Venice).

No Natursekt, Martin Kippenberger, 1996/2017 (From the collection of MUSEION)

4. Venice’s Panchine Rosse
Sit and Enjoy the View

La devozione di Venezia (From the collection of Youth Committee of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO)

5. Burano Lace
From Fishing Nets to Lace

Alfred Eisenstaedt, 1947 (From the collection of LIFE Photo Collection)

How this tradition of lacemaking began is not clear, but some accounts tell that the art of lacemaking was closely tied to the art of creating fishing nets. One art slowly merged out of the other.

Vita quotidiana in isola (From the collection of Youth Committee for the Italian National Commission for UNESCO)

Whatever the case, Countess Andriana Marcello put Burano lace on the maps thanks to her drive to revive Burano lace making. The school of Burano Lace Making was born and continues to dominate the city’s traditions.

6. Venice Regatta
A Race Fit for a Queen

Regatta at the Rialto Bridge, Francesco Guardi, 1770s (From the collection of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston)

The Venetian Historic Regatta of 1489 commemorates the arrival of Caterina Cornaro to Venice, Queen of Cyprus with hand-carved boats still fit for a queen. The colorful re-enactment is definitely worth a trip to this city on water.

Venice pays tribute to Caterina Cornaro, Hans Makart, 1872/1873 (From the collection of Belvedere)

7. Rialto Fish Market
A Market Made History

Banco di pesce fresco 2 (From the Collection of Youth Committee of the Italian National Commission for UNESCO)

The Rialto Fish Market located in Campo Della Pescaria has been declared part of the UNESCO patrimony, ensuring the tradition continues for generations to come.