Venice: Floating City Secrets

This episode is provide an overview of Venice's history, construction, and unique characteristics. Several sources explain that the city was founded by mainlanders fleeing invaders in the 5th century, who settled in the lagoon's marshes for protection. A significant portion of the sources focuses on the ingenious engineering methods used to build on the unstable ground, detailing the driving of millions of wooden piles into the sediment to create stable foundations and the use of materials like Istrian stone and brick. Additionally, the texts touch upon Venice's distinct architecture, the historical sewage system involving "gatoli," the traditional reliance on wells for drinking water before modern aqueducts, and various Venetian traditions and festivals that celebrate the city's culture and history.