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Canals of Venice

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Place overview

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Thanks to its canals, Venice is known to be one of the most magical places on earth. The city is a testament to the ingenuity of the human spirit and man-made invention. Stone buildings of great beauty sit on the water; boats of varying sizes traverse the canals the way cars, trucks, and buses crowd the streets of more conventional cities; crowds throng the bridges and narrow pedestrian streets.

Although there are plenty of famous landmarks to feast your eyes on in Venice, its canals are rightfully considered to be one of the world's top attractions. Incidentally, of all Venice attractions, the channels are the most well-known.

How many canals in Venice

Water perspective of a Venice canal.
Water perspective of a Venice canal. [Report image]

The city counts more than 150 waterways, which are also traversed by over 400 bridges. This makes the city look, from an areal view, like a giant pie with numerous pieces (islands) in all sorts of sizes and shapes. The sheer number of canals in Venice, and their dense proximities,  is what makes the city so famous


History

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Short history of Venice's Canals

When villagers from the mainland initially settled Venice in the 5th century, the canals were essentially the naturally occurring inlets and channels between the marshy islands of the Lagoon of Venice (Laguna Venezia). Buildings were constructed on pilings made from closely spaced tree trunks set into the layers of sand and clay that made up the islands. As the buildings became more and more elaborately built of stone and brick, more and larger trees had to be brought from farther and farther away – many of the pilings still in use today came from Slovenia hundreds of years ago. The bases of the canals were eventually solidified with limestone. The city was also expanded through time by filling part of the Venetian lagoon to add more canals and structures. All of this lead to the present maze that makes up the city today. Learn more about how Venice was built and the history of its canals.

Challenges Today

Since the canals are the city's main circulatory routes, a great deal of maintenance is constantly being done. Canals are shallow – no more than 10-15 ft deep in many places – and are defined by spaces between the buildings that crowd their banks. They must be dredged regularly to remove the silt and sand that is deposited in the canals by the frequent high tides that can flood the city (also known as 'acqua alta, or 'high water').

Human activity and the rerouting of rivers and streams into the lagoon have caused the city to begin sinking. The dredging of canals to maintain a useful depth is constant; many residents who could once step from their homes into a private boat to traverse the city have moved into their houses' upper floors to avoid frequent flooding canals. In 2011, a system of inflatable gates was put into place to control the water that floods the city.

Despite the continued threat to the health of the canals of Venice, they remain one of the most distinctive and compelling architectural features in the world. The canals of Venice are one of Europe's top tourist attractions. A ride through the channels, whether by gondola or in a powered boat, exposes the magic of this unique city in a way that's unequaled by any other method. Travel the Canalasso at night, or explore the maze of smaller waterways during the day; the traveler is sure to come away with memories never to be erased.

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The Grand Canal

The Grand Canal (“Canalasso”) is the main waterway in Venice. It is the largest canal and stretches about 3 km (2 miles) through the main island, forming a giant “S” curve, from the Santa Lucia train station to the Piazza San Marco and the stunning church of Santa Maria de Salute. At this point, it is over 350 feet wide. It serves as a major artery for commuter traffic and is lined with more than 170 buildings, including many of Venice’s most impressive architectural landmarks dating from the 13th to 18th centuries. The Grand Canal is spanned by four bridges: the photogenic Rialto, the Degli Scalzi, the Dell'Accademia, and the Della Costituzione bridges.

Other Venice Canals

A picture of a cute small canal in Venice, Italy.
A picture of a cute small canal in Venice, Italy. [Report image]

Smaller canals crisscross the city, and most originated as naturally occurring inlets and channels between the marshy islands of the Laguna Venezia. Buildings were initially constructed on pilings set into the layers of sand and clay and, over time, were fortified with stone and brick to create more permanent dwellings. The canals were gradually deepened and widened, lined with gravel to allow commercial traffic as the city’s population grew. The result is the maze of canals that make up the city today.

Gondolas and other boats

Gondolas on the Grand Canal near the Dodge Palace.
Gondolas on the Grand Canal near the Dodge Palace. [Report image]

The gondolas are the most iconic boats in Venice. The narrow, curiously shaped wooden black boats are usually poled through the shallow canals by gondoliers wearing striped shirts and hats. The locals, who once used the gondolas as a primary transportation mode, leave them to the tourists these days. Anyone passing the canals becomes used to the cries of the gondoliers trying to attract business.

Besides the romance-inspiring gondolas, many other types of boats like the Vaporetto taxis make their way through the Venetian canals. Exploring Venice along its canals offers a unique perspective on the city and is a highlight of any visit. Whether you opt to be slowly propelled by a gondolier at night or travel with locals in a Vaporetto by day, the Venetian canals remain one of Italy’s most captivating features.

Visiting information and tips

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There is more than ever issues regarding sustainable travel in Venice during normal non-pandemic time. Although it may be tough NOT to want to visit Venice, it is most likely a better idea to plan to go to other destinations, especially during high season months from April to October. Otherwise, you might end up adding to the already overcrowdedness of tourists.

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