When the earliest settlers laid the foundation for what would eventually evolve into the vibrant city of Venice, they encountered formidable challenges. Owing to the unique lagoon topography, the initial Venetians constructed their homes in the most stable regions available. However, as the population burgeoned and space grew scarce, the Venetians embarked on a radical solution: the creation of new, artificial land areas over the water. Yet, building on the ever-shifting lagoon bed posed a daunting dilemma.

The ingenious solution employed by builders involved the use of ordinary wooden piles. Hundreds of thousands of these piles were driven deep into the lagoon bed. It's on these foundations that some of Venice's most iconic landmarks were born. Saint Mark's Square, for instance, with its Bell Tower, which alone stands atop 100,000 piles. The Rialto Bridge, supported by 12,000 piles. And even more awe-inspiring, the grand Basilica la Salute, constructed entirely from marble, requiring more than a million piles.
These staggering numbers underscore Venice's status as a remarkable architectural and engineering achievement.


Documentary: Cities Under Threat - Venice Under Rescue
Directed by: Barbara Necek
Production: ZED

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