A couple walks in a flooded Saint Mark's Square during high waters on Nov. 19, 2013, in Venice, Italy. Marco Secchi/Getty Images hide caption
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Marco Secchi/Getty Images
A couple walks in a flooded Saint Mark's Square during high waters on Nov. 19, 2013, in Venice, Italy.
Marco Secchi/Getty Images
Venice, with its maze of canals and historic buildings, won't be added to a list of endangered World Heritage sites — for now.
At a meeting to discuss World Heritage sites underway in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, officials from 21 UNESCO member states decided Thursday not to add Venice, Italy to the World Heritage in Danger list.
UNESCO issued a report in July outlining the risks facing Venice, including extreme weather and rising sea levels caused by human-induced climate change, over-tourism and over-development.
A spokesperson for UNESCO, the United Nations body that designates and protects World Heritage sites, did not immediately respond to NPR's request for comment on the reason why Venice, a World Heritage site since 1987, remains off the endangered list.
UNESCO's official statement about the decision reiterated addressing concerns "for the proper conservation of the site," which include tourism, development projects and climate change. "The protection of this World Heritage site must remain a priority for the entire international community," UNESCO stated.
UNESCO added it plans to send a delegation to Venice, and submit a new report about the issues facing the city by February of next year, with a view to discuss its inclusion on the World Heritage in Danger list again next summer.
Adam Markham, deputy director for climate and energy at the Union of Concerned Scientists, and an expert on the link between climate change and cultural heritage, expressed frustration over the decision.
"The countries making the decision thought, 'Okay, let's give them a bit more time. They're doing some good work.' I don't think that's the case," Markham said. "They need the push now to act faster, bigger and do more. Otherwise, Venice is going to really be strangled to death from climate change and tourism."
There are currently 54 sites on the World Heritage in Danger list. New additions to the list in 2023 so far include Rachid Karami International Fair-Tripoli in Lebanon, The Historic Centre of Odesa in Ukraine, and Landmarks of the Ancient Kingdom of Saba, Marib in Yemen. Discussions about additional sites continue this week.
UNESCO did state the reason for its decision on Tuesday to remove one site — Tombs of the Buganda Kings in Kasubi, Uganda — from the List of World Heritage in Danger, where it was inscribed in 2010 following a devastating fire and has since undergone reconstruction.
"This reconstruction program was completed in the summer of 2023, enabling the site to reach the desired state of conservation," said the statement from UNESCO. "The reconstruction had been successfully implemented."
FAQs
UNESCO issued a report in July outlining the risks facing Venice, including extreme weather and rising sea levels caused by human-induced climate change, over-tourism and over-development.
Is Venice on Unesco endangered list? ›
Venice Not Included on UNESCO List of Endangered Heritage Sites.
Why is Venice a World Heritage Site? ›
Criterion (i): Venice is a unique artistic achievement. The city is built on 118 small islands and seems to float on the waters of the lagoon, composing an unforgettable landscape whose imponderable beauty inspired Canaletto, Guardi, Turner and many other painters.
Is Venetian endangered? ›
Venice will not be included on UNESCO's list of “World Heritage in Danger” after a panel voted on Thursday to reject the recommendation of experts at the agency who had raised concerns that Italy had not done enough to protect the fragile city, which is threatened by climate change, mass tourism and development.
What are the main threats to Venice? ›
The UNESCO World Heritage Committee recommended Venice for the list of sites in danger, citing the negative impact of mass tourism, damage to the lagoon by large ships and oil tankers entering via the Malamocco canal, and climate change leading to more frequent high tides, as well as uncoordinated development.
What is the main problem with Venice today? ›
Mass tourism, rising sea levels, and scorching temperatures have been plaguing the unique Italian city. Venice has long been teetering in a delicate state, suffering the impact of over-tourism exacerbated by the effects of climate change.
What is the biggest natural threat to Venice? ›
Indeed, if drastic measures are not taken, the city's days could be numbered. This is far from hyperbole: Venice is at very real risk of being consumed by the sea. In worst-case scenario, the city could disappear beneath the waves by as early as 2100.
Why is the population of Venice decreasing? ›
Once the heart of a powerful maritime republic, Venice's main island has lost more than 120,000 residents since the early 1950s, driven away by myriad issues but mainly a focus on mass tourism that has caused the population to be dwarfed by the thousands of visitors who crowd its squares, bridges and narrow walkways ...
How many people have left Venice? ›
Depopulation. Venice has become too expensive, too impractical and just too much of a tourist theme park for most residents to be able to stay. Three decades ago, more than 120,000 people called Venice home. Today, there are 55,000.
Is Venice sinking or water rising? ›
It's long been known that Venice suffers from subsidence. Built on a muddy lagoon with inadequate foundations, the ground beneath it has slowly compacted over time. This, combined with the groundwater being pumped out from under the city and a gradual rise in sea levels, has resulted in the city very slowly sinking.
In case you're still wondering – YES, Venice is absolutely worth visiting! From its winding canals, romantic architecture, and endless bridges, the city is often compared to a living painting.
Is Venice cheap or expensive? ›
How much does a trip to Venice cost? Quick Answer: You can expect to spend around 130-150 euros per person per day in Venice. This includes mid-range accommodation, transport (no water taxi but public transport), lunch with cicchetti (or street food) and dinner at the restaurant.
Is it livable in Venice? ›
And Venice is still a livable city where children go to school, young people go to university and people shop for food and enjoy their daily lives.
Is Venice threatened by climate change? ›
Rising risk: Analyzing climate change's impact on Venetian coastlines. Venice and its coastal area are notoriously vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as rising sea levels, extreme waves, and storm surges.
Is Venice Italy flooding? ›
When considering why flooding in Venice may be getting more extreme, it's important to remember both that sea levels are rising and that Venice is sinking. The city's ground level is currently sinking by around 1mm a year due to natural processes.
Why is Venice losing population? ›
Many European cities are grappling with the strains of excess tourism. But Venice has become the symbol of the problem because of the clash between its worldwide appeal to visitors and the delicate fabric of a centuries-old city built on more than 100 islands.
How many years does Venice have left? ›
Many climate experts suggest that Venice could sink by 2100. With many projects going on around and in Venice, these could potentially slow the progression of the water infiltrating this Italian city.
Why is Venice limiting visitors? ›
These measures are aimed at helping local residents who have said that too many tourists have changed the city and the water areas. As there were often more tourists than locals, residents have struggled with overcrowded walkways and bridges needed to get around.
