Was Venice, Italy always flooded by water? Was it made on-top of the ocean, or was it made, and later flooded?
Venice, Italy was not originally built on top of the ocean or intentionally flooded. The city of Venice was established in the 5th century AD and was constructed on a group of 118 small islands in a lagoon located in the Adriatic Sea. The islands were chosen for defense purposes, as they provided natural protection from potential invaders.
Over time, the city grew and its unique architectural style developed, with buildings and canals connecting the islands. However, Venice has always been susceptible to the natural phenomenon of flooding due to its low-lying position and its proximity to the sea. High tides, known as acqua alta, and occasional storm surges have caused the city to experience flooding throughout its history.
Venice's susceptibility to flooding has worsened over the years due to a combination of factors, including subsidence (sinking) of the land and the impact of climate change, resulting in higher sea levels. To manage the issue, various measures have been implemented, such as the construction of barriers and floodgates known as the MOSE project to protect the city from exceptional high tides. These measures aim to control and mitigate the effects of flooding in modern-day Venice.