About the Science and Secrets of the Lagoon Walk in Venice
This four-hour excursion through the Venetian lagoon, with a marine scientist, will follow the progress of modifications to the lagoon and their effect on the lagoon environment. We will also have the opportunity to explore some of the smaller Northern lagoon islands that remain inaccessible unless by private boat. Using a traditional Venetian skiff called a bragozzo we will depart from the Arsenal and take a quick cruise through this zone to discuss vast changes that have been taking place as of late. From there, we will head northeast towards the Lido Inlet and witness the current state of the famed and controversial “MOSE” project (a system of barriers, which will separate the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea during times of high water). We will then steam towards the area of the lagoon known as Treporti, where a new marina has been completed, in order to see the possible impact this marina will have on the lagoon ecosystem.
Moving forward, we will pass the famed islands of Burano a
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This four-hour excursion through the Venetian lagoon, with a marine scientist, will follow the progress of modifications to the lagoon and their effect on the lagoon environment. We will also have the opportunity to explore some of the smaller Northern lagoon islands that remain inaccessible unless by private boat. Using a traditional Venetian skiff called a bragozzo we will depart from the Arsenal and take a quick cruise through this zone to discuss vast changes that have been taking place as of late. From there, we will head northeast towards the Lido Inlet and witness the current state of the famed and controversial “MOSE” project (a system of barriers, which will separate the lagoon from the Adriatic Sea during times of high water). We will then steam towards the area of the lagoon known as Treporti, where a new marina has been completed, in order to see the possible impact this marina will have on the lagoon ecosystem.
Moving forward, we will pass the famed islands of Burano and Torcello to the lesser known, but equally exciting, bone cemetery of Sant'Ariano and the Island of the Cure where extensive groundwater research is taking place in order to examine the source of lagoon pollution. We will then double back by the renovated monastery of San Francesco del Deserto and navigate alongside the agricultural island of Sant'Erasmo, where artichokes and asparagus are cultivated, paying special attention to the newly reconstructed marshes and the ecosystems associated with them. Finally, we will make our way alongside the old military island of Certosa to understand how they have renovated and solidified their structures.
Throughout our time together, we will have a discussion of how rising waters, and modifications associated with this process, will impact the state of the lagoon. At the end of our excursion you should have an understanding of the physical processes in the lagoon, the modifications that are underway, and the impact these modifications will have on the lagoon environment, which will all, in turn, effect the lives of Venetian residents and tourists.
Note: This visit does take place entirely on the boat. We do, however, make a quick stop at the mid-way point to use facilities on the island of Torcello.
