Abandoned Islands of the Venetian Lagoon

The state of the islands throughout the lagoon from 1978 to today.

“…this evocative and useful study has been revised and republished with an Italian-English parallel text, seventy-five black-and-white photographs, seventeen in colour, showing the current state of the main islands, and thirty-five reproductions of engravings and historical extracts from various periods.”

—The Times Literary Supplement

Giorgio and Maurizio Crovato produced the first, photographic edition of this book in 1978. This is an in-depth, enhanced revision and the first research work in English and Italian to attempt an accurate historical and cultural survey of the lagoon islands of Venice other than Murano,Torcello and Burano.

The authors have had over thirty five years of experience mapping, describing and, in some cases, preserving the heritage of these numerous islands. The abandonment of the islands has left many in great peril from changing climate, time and the depredations of man. Extraordinarily rich in detail and discussion (included material from medieval, Renaissance, Enlightenment and modern sources, chroniclers and writers that has hitherto not been translated). A discussion of current urban and climatic issues facing the Venetian lagoon also included.

From the preface:

“From the sixteenth century onwards, justified by theoretical and scientific studies from such authoritative hydraulic engineers as Cristoforo Sabbadino and Avise Cornaro projects of Pharaonic scope were undertaken for the defence of the lagoon.

Their ultimate aim was always the safeguarding of Venice as a port. The Brenta, Bacchiglione, Piave and Sile rivers were all diverted elsewhere to forestall the continued silting-up of the lagoon environment”

This bi-lingual book (English & Italian) illustrates the growth and decay of many of the islands of the lagoon, it makes for a fascinating read.