The wooden piles that support Venice

[Montero]

Interesting (longish) article on how the wooden piles that support Venice were done and a bit on their survival. Also interested on how the Venetians protected the forests that supplied them.

Mud, water and wood: The system that kept a 1604-year-old city afloat

Most modern structures are built to last 50 years or so, but ingenious ancient engineering has kept this watery city afloat for more than 1,600 years – using only wood.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Brian G Turner]

I first heard about this on FaceBook, and didnt believe it. I do now.

 

[mosaix]

A recent television program mentioned this and how the mud compression excludes oxygen and thus prevents rotting of the wood.

 

[Eyeball]

Why didn't they build Venice on dry land in the first place?

 

[chornedsnorkack]

Why didn't they build Venice on dry land in the first place?

They DID.
"Venetia" originally meant the whole region - not just the swampy Rialto archipelago, but the mainland shore with ancient cities like Padua, Treviso, Aquileia, and the sandy barrier strip of Lido.
When the mainland became dangerous because of overland barbarian attacks, it was first the relatively big and firm, sandy barrier islands of Lido that were settled. I think the first main settlement was in Malamocco, on the other end of the same island where Lido of Venice is.
Back in 6th century to 812, it was the settlement on Malamocco that was called "Venice".

The swampy Rialto archipelago had other advantages.
While the Lido was one big, firm island, it also meant it had a single waterfront line, relatively open to the open lagoon (and open sea on the other side).
The Rialto archipelago was swampy but it was cut up by moderately wide Grand Canal and lots of narrower canals. Meaning that there was a lot of waterfront... if you drove in the piles to support the quays and houses.

 

[Montero]

Villages on stilts out over lakes have been built for thousands of years - safer from attack or predators, open a hatch in the floor to fish, doesn't use up farming land, safer in the event of a wildfire, can moor your precious boat to your house and that is safer too.

 

[Bill D]

Interesting (longish) article on how the wooden piles that support Venice were done and a bit on their survival. Also interested on how the Venetians protected the forests that supplied them.

Mud, water and wood: The system that kept a 1604-year-old city afloat

Most modern structures are built to last 50 years or so, but ingenious ancient engineering has kept this watery city afloat for more than 1,600 years – using only wood.

www.bbc.co.uk

Having visited Venice a number of times, and enjoyed myself, I read your article with great interest. I always wondered what was holding the city up.

 

[Montero]

Several years ago watched a very interesting documentary on the fire service in Venice - mostly scooting around in motorboats. Lots of back lanes.Seem to remember it was search and rescue as well as fire.