Restless Venice

August 26th 2019, Venice. A group of tourists from a guided tour in Venice’s St.Mark's Square.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

August 23rd 2019, Venice. A woman from the crowds crossing the Scalzi Bridge stops to take a photograph.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

Nov 17th 2019, Venice. Four law enforcement agents patrol a flooded St. Mark's Square. The water reaches their knees.

The week of 11th – 17th November 2019 was one of the worst in Venice's history. In 6 days, the sea water flooded the city 3 times, with tide peaks ('acqua alta' in Italian) reaching almost unprecedented levels.

The sea level rise, the city slow sinking process and the industrial canals dug in the past to make way for the big ships, are among the main causes of these exceptional floods. Two people lost their lives, and damages to shops and ground floor apartments have been substantial.

Feb 10th 2020, Venice. In a foggy day, some 'gondole' (typical Venetian boats) are seen moored in front of St. Mark's square.

Originally meant as a public transportation service, with the exponential increase in the number of tourists visiting the city in the last decades, the ‘gondole’ have become yet another Venice’s tourist attraction.

In Venice, floods of tourists alternate with real floods. And now the survival of the city itself is at risk. With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. As if this was not enough, the seasonal floods occurring in the city are worsening year after year due to the sea level rise.

August 23rd 2019, Venice. Tourists observe a giant map of Venice inside a parking building located in one of the main transport hubs of the city, Piazzale Roma.

Following complains from local residents, Venice municipality recently launched #EnjoyRespectVenezia, a campaign to promote more respectful behaviours among tourists visiting the city.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Space saturation, environmental problems, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

August 24th 2019, Venice. A cruise ship navigates the Giudecca Canal, in Venice’s old town, to reach the city’s cruise port.

The typical cruise ship carries over 2.500 passengers, the biggest ones up to 5.500. In Venice, in 2018 alone, 502 cruise ships reached the city (roughly 1.5 per day) carrying over 1.5 million passengers. In one year, the cruise ships polluted Venice – a city with no cars – like approximately 820.000 cars (data: transportenvironment.org) and caused 2 major accidents.

July 23rd 2019, Venice. An overcrowded promenade ('Riva degli Schiavoni') in the city centre.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

Nov 17th 2019, Venice. A flat's window reflected in the underneath canal. The water reached a dangerous level and is only centimetres away from reaching the window.

The week of 11th – 17th November 2019 was one of the worst in Venice's history. In 6 days, the sea water flooded the city 3 times, with tide peaks ('acqua alta' in Italian) reaching almost unprecedented levels.

The sea level rise, the city slow sinking process and the industrial canals dug in the past to make way for the big ships, are among the main causes of these exceptional floods. Two people lost their lives, and damages to shops and ground floor apartments have been substantial.

Feb 10th 2020, Venice. Tourists takes selfies, while the statues behind seem to be interacting with them.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

August 24th 2019, Venice. A cruise ship moored near Venice’s old town.

In Venice, in 2018 alone, the cruise ships polluted approximately like 820.000 cars (data: transportenvironment.org) and caused 2 major accidents.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Space saturation, environmental problems, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

Feb 10th 2020, Venice. People in St. Mark's Square.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

Nov 15th 2019, Venice. A man reflected in a café window walks with water up to his knees in a flooded St. Mark’s Square.

The week of 11th – 17th November 2019 was one of the worst in Venice's history. In 6 days, the sea water flooded the city 3 times, with tide peaks ('acqua alta' in Italian) reaching almost unprecedented levels.

The sea level rise, the city slow sinking process and the industrial canals dug in the past to make way for the big ships, are among the main causes of these exceptional floods. Two people lost their lives, and damages to shops and ground floor apartments have been substantial.

Feb 10th 2020, Venice. A man photographing a souvenir stand and people passing by.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

Feb 10th 2020, Venice. In the city's main square, a souvenir stand is reflected in a mirror of a souvenir stand.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

Nov 15th 2019, Venice. During the city's floods, a shop attendant is portrayed inside his souvenir shop near Rialto Bridge. The shop is flooded with water reaching his calves.

The week of 11th – 17th November 2019 was one of the worst in Venice's history. In 6 days, the sea water flooded the city 3 times, with tide peaks ('acqua alta' in Italian) reaching almost unprecedented levels.

The sea level rise, the city slow sinking process and the industrial canals dug in the past to make way for the big ships, are among the main causes of these exceptional floods. Two people lost their lives, and damages to shops and ground floor apartments have been substantial.

Dec 15th 2014, seagulls flies over St. Mark's Square in Venice.

In Venice, floods of tourists alternate with real floods. And now the survival of the city itself is at risk. With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. As if this was not enough, the seasonal floods occurring in the city are worsening year after year due to the sea level rise.

July 24th 2019, Venice. A model during an improvised photo shoot along Venice's Grand Canal, near Rialto Bridge. The photo set re-enacts a stereotypical 'Italian scene', including a waterside pizza picnic, an Italian water bottle and a designer handbag.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

August 26th 2019, Venice. Crowds in St. Mark’s square. The city's cathedral is in the background.

With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. Environmental problems, space saturation, lack of affordable housing and a generalized touristification of public spaces are some of the key issues (directly or indirectly) related to overtourism.

Nov 15th 2019, Venice. A flooded St. Mark’s Square is seen reflected in an historic café window. The café itself is flooded, and sofas are placed over the tables to keep them dry.

The week of 11th – 17th November 2019 was one of the worst in Venice's history. In 6 days, the sea water flooded the city 3 times, with tide peaks ('acqua alta' in Italian) reaching almost unprecedented levels.

The sea level rise, the city slow sinking process and the industrial canals dug in the past to make way for the big ships, are among the main causes of these exceptional floods. Two people lost their lives, and damages to shops and ground floor apartments have been substantial.

August 23rd 2019, Venice. The reflection of a ‘gondola’ (typical Venetian boat) as seen in Venice’s main canal, the ‘Canal Grande’. A crowded Rialto Bridge is in the background.

Originally meant as a public transportation service, with the exponential increase in the number of tourists visiting the city the ‘gondole’ have become yet another Venice’s tourist attraction.

In Venice, floods of tourists alternate with real floods. And now the survival of the city itself is at risk. With approximately 50,000 permanent residents and almost 30 million visitors per year, Venice arguably withstands the world’s highest tourist pressure for an urban space. As if this was not enough, the seasonal floods occurring in the city are worsening year after year due to the sea level rise.