|
There are estimated to be 350 gondolas on Venice's waterways, which include 177 canals.
|
|
Gondolas are made from eight different wood species, and the parts of the gondola represent parts of Venice itself. Gondolas are approximately 600 kilos in weight and 11 meters in length.
|
|
Venice is made up of 118 islands. The city itself is believed to be sinking at a rate of 1 to 2 millimeters each year.
|
|
Venice was built approximately 1500 years ago and has expanded through the ages to the major city it is today.
|
|
One of the narrowest streets in the world is located in Venice. It is only 53cm wide and called Calletta.
|
|
Venice's symbol is the winged lion of Saint Mark.
|
|
Venice has 417 bridges. 72 of these bridges are private. Most of the bridges don't have steps as they were built when horses were used for transportation.
|
|
Venetian folklore says that if a couple in a gondola kiss as they pass underneath each bridge they will remain in love forever.
|
|
Of the four major bridges across the Grand Canal, the newest one that is only a few years old is already beginning to decay, unlike the three that are centuries old.
|
|
An engineering project is underway to control the tides that result in a phenomena called acqua alta when tides are 9cm above regular height. The town floods when this occurs and the project involves creating moveable barriers that will stop the flooding.
|
|
Venice's biggest canal is the Grand Canal, which divides Venice into two regions. The Grand Canal is lined with 170 buildings.
|
|
Venice is home to more than 450 palaces.
|
|
Venice is home to the famous San Marco bell tower, which was built in the 1100s and rebuilt in the 1900s after it collapsed. Many people believe the best view of Venice can be had from the tower.
|
|
In the last 50 years the population of Venice has dropped from 120,000 to 60,000, and some believe it will only be a tourist park by 2030.
|
|
The first public casino opened in 1638 in Venice.
|
|
Because the cost of maintaining homes in Venice is so high, many people are choosing to leave. The fact that Venice is sinking is also another reason for the de-population of the city.
|
