The worst recorded flood since 1966 occurred late on the night of 12 November. 80% of the city was flooded, with St Mark’s Basilica inundated to a height of 1.10cm. Very strong winds in the lagoon worsened the damage and caused devastation in Pellestrina and along the coast. Further high tides and flooding followed over the next weeks. The safety of everyone affected was the first priority.

On 15 November Venice in Peril launched the Acqua Alta 2019 Appeal. The response was immediate with contributions of all sizes received. The Italian Embassy in London hosted a Venetian gala evening, the Gladwell & Patterson Gallery raised funds through its ‘Secrets of Venice’ exhibition and the RIBA Drawings Collection at the V&A invited supporters to a view of its unparalleled collection of Palladio drawings, with proceeds going to the Appeal. A total of £150,000 was raised in the first three months.

The funds raised by the Appeal are going, in part, to a clean up and prevention project at San Nicolò dei Mendicoli, a parish church with which Venice in Peril has been associated since the 1970s. A second project has been identified and will be announced shortly and a further sum is being kept in reserve pending full assessment of damage to other monuments by the Venice heritage authorities.

If you would like to make a donation to support conservation and repair of monuments and works of art damaged in the storms and flooding you can do so online here or by contacting the office on 020 7736 6891

The images shown here were taken by Jennifer Dinsmore, who was in Venice at the time of the flooding with City and Guilds of London Art School conservation stonework students.

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