Fabled Venice Cathedral Under Water — Substantial Damage Expected

Flooding in the lagoon city has reached a height of 1.56 meters one of the highest water levels so far

Rome (kath.net/KAP) The entire floor of St. Mark's Cathedral in Venice is flooded. According to media reports, all the mosaics on the floor of the famous church are under water, as well as the bronze gates of the cathedral are affected as well as the bases of the marble columns. After the storms of recent days, the flood in the lagoon city has reached one of the highest water levels so far with a height of 1.56 meters above normal.

The damage from the salt water could be considerable, the media cite the First Procurator of St. Mark's Cathedral, Carlo Alberto Tesserin. He is responsible for the structural preservation of the church. The expected damage, so Tesserin, could also show several meters above the current water level.

Up to a water level of 1.10 meters, the administration of St. Mark's Cathedral was able to protect the building. "It had been promised to us that such events would no longer take place," said Tesserin, criticizing the authorities of the city. The repair of the damage will now be very complicated and expensive.

St. Mark's Basilica is one of the most famous sights in Venice. A special feature of the cathedral are a variety of preserved mosaic cycles in the floor as well as on the walls.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com

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