“Is that a lighthouse?” you might ask while approaching Spignon. This structure stands as a testament to Venice’s rich maritime history. Spignon may seem like just another building, but it is more than that. It is a symbol of Venice.
Venice itself is a marvel. The city is built on 10 million underwater logs. Settlers cut down trees from Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro. They carried them to Venice. There, they made 1,106,657 wooden stakes. Each stake measured 4 meters. They sunk the logs underwater. This created a base for the city. They built wooden platforms on top of the logs. Then they constructed the buildings. The whole process took two years.
Venice is a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The city includes the lagoon and stunning monuments. Venice is not just one island. It is made of 118 small islands. They are linked by over 400 bridges. Most bridges are made of stone. About 60 are made of iron. The rest are wooden.
There are no roads in Venice. The main way to get around is by foot or by boat. There are around 150 canals in the city. The Canal Grande splits Venice in two. Most canals are about 2 meters deep. The Canal Grande is 5 meters deep. The Canale della Giudecca is 15 meters deep.
Venice was founded 1500 years ago. Roman refugees fleeing attacks founded the city. Construction started in 402. The official founding is March 25, 421. This marks the inauguration of the San Giacomo church.
Venice was an independent state for over 1000 years. From 697 to 1797, it was the Republic of Venice. It was a major maritime power. It was a main city in Italy during the Renaissance.
The city is sinking every year. It sinks at a rate of 1 to 2 mm per year. Since the 20th century, it has sunk about 120 mm. Floods are frequent in the city. This is due to the acqua alta. High tide combines with strong winds. This results in floods. They happen about 100 times each year.
More than 20 million tourists visit Venice each year. There are over 200 palaces in Venice. The Doge’s Palace is also known as Palazzo Ducale. Venice is known for its elegant masks. The Venice Carnival is world famous for them. The carnival started in 1162. It celebrates a war victory. Austria made the carnival illegal in 1797. The Italian government restored it in 1979.
World explorer Marco Polo was born in Venice in 1254. Music composer Antonio Vivaldi was born in Venice in 1678.
As you stand near Spignon, remember Venice’s history. It is a city of resilience and beauty. Its foundations are strong. Its stories are captivating. Its future depends on preserving its unique charm. Take a moment to appreciate this floating city.