Is the city of romance destined for disaster? Overwhelmed by picturesque canals, handsome gondolas and breathtaking architecture, 15 million annual visitors don’t realize that Venice is in deep trouble. Built on a spongy salt marsh 1200 years ago, Italy’s renowned romantic city is not only sinking, but also facing rising sea levels that are rapidly destroying ancient bricks, flooding historic landmarks and eroding the city’s very foundation. Since a cataclysmic storm and raging floodwaters submerged the entire city in 1966, the debate about how to save Venice has been fierce; with environmental opponents, confusion and old-fashioned Italian politics stalling nearly every rescue proposal. If something isn’t done, Venice may become a modern-day Atlantis. NOVA travels to the storied city of canals and explores the many problems facing Venice as well as a number of intriguing solutions. Tour the magnificent city and wade through flooded St. Mark’s Square and 900-year-old St. Mark’s Basilica. Examine the natural and manmade forces causing the city to sink and the water to rise. And see why the controversial plan to hold back the sea with massive floodgates has been hotly debated for over 30 years. Those who love Venice and its captivating beauty are holding their breath, hoping a city that has withstood time and the elements for so many centuries will somehow manage to endure.
