Acqua alta (high water) has become a fact of life in Venice. The condition takes place when, occasionally, the lagoon water level rises above the level of the squares and streets, flooding them, causing grave inconvenience to water transport and traffic. The areas which are affected by flood the most include the lower points of many fondamente (streets bordering canals), calli (streets), and campi (squares). Only very seldom are wide parts of the city flooded. However, these floods are generally limited to a few centimetres of water, so that, usually, a pair of common Wellington boots is enough to overcome the problem.

Acqua alta is caused mainly due to the astronomical tides and the geographic position of the Adriatic Sea, and emphasised by particular meteorological conditions. Again, winds, rains and, especially in the past, continental fresh waters, also lead to acqua alta. The actions and interference of man in nature has also magnified the problem. High tides get particularly huge when the barometric pressure undergoes a substantial decrease and/or there is a strong bora or scirocco (south-east) wind. The widest tide excursions usually occur at new and full moon periods (syzigies), in the first and last quarter of the moon (quadratures) the abundant high tide phenomenon is less likely to happen. This can happen several times a year, at irregular intervals, usually in the colder months. Acqua alta usually lasts a few hours and coincides with high tide.

The people of Venice have devised several means to face the situation. They have raised walkways in side alleys ready to be pulled out when acqua alta hits. When the city begins to flood, sirens will sound to warn residents and businesses.

Tourists are advised to procure an acqua alta map at the tourist offices either at the railway station or St Marks. This will show you the higher, dry routes and the ones with walkways setup during the various flood alerts. There is a tide measuring station at the Rialto vaporetto piers, and a notice board at the base of the Campanile in the Piazza San Marco that shows a live tide reading and predictions for the next few days.

The Corer museum or Museo Correr is one of the biggest museums of Venice. Its display relates the history of Venice from the 13th to the 16th century. Besides the collection the building itself is remarkable. Its beauty is worth immense praise.

Paintings, prints, coins, weapons, military regalia etc all kinds of objects of the medieval and Renaissance period in Venice can be found here. Besides these objects of the Risorgimento, but the objects of the Libreria Sansoviniana period are also displayed here.

The Risorgimento period that marks the resurgence in Italian nationalism, has a smaller museum dedicated to it. Its displays relate the story of legendary Daniele Manin, and his rebellion against the Austrians.

The Libreria Sansoviniana is situated in the piazza, in the open space between San Marco and the waterfront pavement of the Molo. This building is not only beautiful but alos holds great historical significance! Its architecture is one of the most exemplary forms of Venetian architecture.

It features paintings of philosophers by Tintoretto, Veronese and Andrea Schiavone. Its library is one of the largest and it has a beautiful frescoed ceiling which is called Titian’s Wisdom.

The museum also features Lorenzo Lotto’s Portrait, Antonello da Messina’s Pieta, Vittore Carpaccio’s Two Venetian Ladies and a few works of Luca Cranach and Hugo Van der Goes. The prolific Bellini family also finds its place here! Jacopo Bellini’s Crucifixion, Gentile Bellini’s Portrait of Doge Mocenigo, his brother Giovanni Bellini’s the Transfiguration and the important Pieta are all present here.