Venice’s Iconic Piazza San Marco Gets Submerged - Photos, Video

Flooded streets is a regular scene in the Italian city, which is often hit by so-called “high water” in autumn and winter. However, in recent years these incidents have occurred more frequently and become larger in scale due to what scientists say is a consequence of climate change.

A middle-aged couple waltzes on Venice’s Piazza San Marco in the evening with their legs submerged in water, while a group of kids can’t stop laughing as they splash water at each other – this may sound like the opening scene from a movie directed by Oscar laureate Paolo Sorrentino. However, it’s quite real.

A couple dances in a flooded St. Mark's Square during an exceptional high water in Venice, Italy August 8, 2021

© REUTERS / MANUEL SILVESTRI

People walk in a flooded St. Mark's Square during an exceptional high water in Venice, Italy August 8, 2021

© REUTERS / MANUEL SILVESTRI

The iconic square was flooded on 8 August with reports saying that water had reached three feet.

Venice’s iconic St. Mark’s Square was largely underwater last night, after the city’s flood defense system failed to protect the area: https://t.co/3QSDkQSGvb pic.twitter.com/Q4FfBzHbkB

— AccuWeather (@accuweather) August 8, 2021

​Despite the apparent inconvenience, tourists were in no hurry to leave and enjoyed their time taking photos and sitting at cafes or simply walking through the submerged square.

People sit at a cafe in a flooded St. Mark's Square during an exceptional high water in Venice, Italy August 8, 2021

© REUTERS / MANUEL SILVESTRI

A woman walks in a flooded St. Mark's Square during an exceptional high water in Venice, Italy August 8, 2021. Picture taken August 8, 2021.

© REUTERS / MANUEL SILVESTRI

Venice tonight! While it’s fascinating to walk on a wet Piazza San Marco, it clearly shows that climate change is real. This has a devastating impact on cities and communities, and calls for action from politicians, scientists, everyone… pic.twitter.com/VIyHxP4xbk

— Jens Myrup Pedersen (@jens_myrup) August 7, 2021