The biggest flood in Venice in the last 50 years: Russians donated a million euros to restore the city on the water

One of the most beautiful cities in Italy has flooded again after long torrential rains. A sharp rise in the water level caused great damage to the cultural and historical center. Venice is on the brink, and residents are desperate to save their homes and property. Local authorities are trying to resolve the situation, but it is not easy to agree with nature. See further how the city looks now under the power of the elements.A strong tidal wave, 1.5 m high, brought more destruction to Venice than a week of torrential rains. But the city is preparing for a new flood peak.

Forecasters predict several more days of bad weather.

Last Thursday, when the water level reached more than 1.8 m above sea level, the authorities declared a state of emergency in the city. At the peak , the water level was fixed at 187 cm . Then about 80% of the entire city was flooded.

According to the local tide monitoring center, since 1872 (the first records of the water level in the city date back to this year), the total water level indicators have never been so high.

Mayor Luigi Brugnaro had to ask the police to block the famous St. Mark's Square, which was flooded knee-deep.

Workers in special thigh-high boots began to remove platforms designed for convenient movement around the square.

The mayor of the city says that the damage amounts to hundreds of millions of euros. He believes that such a serious situation is caused by global climate change.

The mayor urged to finish the flood protection project of the city as soon as possible, which has been postponed for a long time.

The Moses project is planned to be completed in 2021. The leader of the right, Matteo Salvini, called on society to help this important cause.

Salvini stressed that there is no precious time to lose, because the city is calling for help.

The floods have raised a new wave of controversy about the Moses project, worth billions of euros. The grandiose plan began to be implemented back in 2003, but has not yet been completed.

The project has been postponed many times due to corruption scandals, cost overruns and protests by environmentalists who believe that it will harm the ecosystem of the Venetian lagoon.Venice combines the past and the present. This unique city breathes history and beckons with the charm of antiquity. The damage caused by the worst flood in history affected not only Italy, but the whole world. We hope that the government will be able to restore the pearl of culture as soon as possible.

And here's what Venice looked like in the 1890s. Its famous canals, beautiful palaces and squares, as well as the daily life of ordinary citizens fascinate with their slowness and romantic charm.