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 | Venice Acqua Alta Reviews | Tips 1 - 10 of 33 |  |
Be aware that flooding no longer occurs only in the winter months. Even in June we experienced one evening of "acqua alta" (high water). It was only in Piazza San Marco and its surrounding area, but that's where we were that night so it did affect us. We were going on a moonlit gondola ride and the gondolier had to take a different route than we had planned, because the water was too high for the gondola to get under some of the bridges. Afterwards, we had to try several different routes back to the hotel before we found one not blocked by water. I didn't get a decent picture of the flooding in the dark.
It was interesting to see for one night, but any more might have been a problem. I suppose we just would've bought boots and gone on... Leave a Comment |
Flood in Venice -- does it sound exciting or scary to you? Well, if you have been to Venice during acqua alta, you will know the correct answer. It is, "Neither."
Acqua alta is nothing but high tide seeping into some of the streets in a few lower part of the city -- which always includes Piazza San Marco since it is the lowest point. However high the tide is reported to be, the level of water seen in the city is never much higher than ankle-high. Although the city is always ready for acqua alta with raised platforms to help your feet from ever touching the not-so-clean water, some tourists feel the need to rush out to buy rubber boots. If purchasing a pair of Wellington makes you feel good, then by all means do it. However, if you don't feel like spending money on something you don't have much use for later on, then all you have to do is hang loose for an hour or so until the water recedes back to the sea. Simple as that. Leave a Comment |
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As you probably already know, Venice is slowly sinking which makes it suseptible to flooding which happens many times during a year particularly around March and November (but it can happen any season). This creates all sorts of problems for tourists, not to mention the locals. I am sure the moisture makes maintenance of their homes a problem and the city's population has diminished to half what it was 50 years ago.
When we were eating one night we encountered a family from Louisiana who had been in Interlaken (they pronounced it with a long "a"). They said it was raining so much there that they decided to come to Venice. We left the next morning and found this photo in one of the newspapers. We found it amusing that they had come to avoid the rain, but I am sure they were not amused in the least! Leave a Comment |
On occassions, during winter especially, you will get the Aqua Alta in venice.
This is where due to the high tide the water rises to the extent of flooding the squares and walk ways. This is more of an issue around the low lying areas such as St Marks square.
However the local council is very well organised and wooden walkways are erected to enable the people to keep there feet dry.
One Dec 28th 2005 we took the following pics with a little flooding in St marks Square.
The website below gives forecast of expected water levels - Leave a Comment |
When the Adriatic is at high tide or there has been heavy rainfall, Venice suffers from high water levels(aqua alta). Particularly prevalent in the winter months. The lowest parts of Venice get flooded. The locals just don plastic sacks on their feet, held by elastic bands.
But not to worry - those umbrella vendors appear selling rubber boots instead. |
They will convince you to eat the fish of the day (8euro/per 100g). Little do you know that they will serve you a 700g fish and you will end up paying 56euros for terrible fish in a diner type of restaurant. Please avoid and please don't be fooled. The food is awful here including the pasta. |
Watch out for high tide in Venice or 'ACQUA ATLTA' as it is known. We didn't realise it was going to happen but the locals did - they were carying their wellies around for the lower parts of Venice, like St Marks, to change into. Other people in the square had great fun trying to avoid getting their feet wet.
So what sea levels constitute an acqua alta, well here's a guide I found:
80 and 100 cm, there is generally only flooding in central areas. This is still "acqua alta", but pretty modest.
at 100 cm, 5% of the city is below water
at 110 cm 15% of the city is below water
(sirens forecast this high water 3-4 hours in advance)
at 120 cm, 33% of the city is below water
at 130 cm, 62% of the city is below water
above 140 centimeters is a flood emergency.
The worst one recently was Nov. 2002 at 147 cm - the 5th worst in the last 100 years!
The website below will show the sea levels for the next few days so you can see if an acqua alta will affect your visit. |
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In certain seasons Venice may become flooded by what is known as Aqua Alta. Please be careful where you walk.
The waters are known to get pretty dirty, use caution and make sure to wash any flood waters off you with fresh water.
It is also important to be considerate of the locals and allow them to continue protecting and preserving their property without disruption from the tourists. Many locals want you to stay and enjoy the beauty and shopping Venice affords but they must go about protection first. For more on aqua Alta please see my Intro to Venice. Leave a Comment |
In the fall, especially in October and November, it very often happens that the tide rises and the water overflows the banks of the canals, flooding the city: the foundations, the alleyways, the fields, the ground floor of the houses, the churches and the shops. The rising water is a problem for the Venetians but it is an unusual, exciting experience for tourists as it is a unique event. Seeing Piazza San Marco flooded by a still lake of water is most certainly a unique, magical moment, which has been immortalized several times over the years by famous photographers.
Do not be bewildered by “acqua alta”: you can still visit the city by using the wooden walkways.
For information, visit the website of the Centro Maree (Tide Forecasts and Reporting Centre) or call 041.2411996. Leave a Comment |
A sudden storm can catch you unaware in Venice and the water level can rise rather quickly. In this picture everyone is hiding around the Doges Palace after a sudden downpour which also left St Marks Square one foot deep in water. Leave a Comment |
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