Venice has always had the problem of flooding and, beginning in 1987, the city has been working on a project to protect itself. The solution is called MOSE and construction began in 2003. MOSE is an Italian acronym (Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) which translates to Electromechanical Experimental Module. Mosè is also Italian for Moses, the name of the guy in the Old Testament who parted the Red Sea. He didn’t use gates, like the MOSE, but nonetheless the project’s nickname has biblical significance. Underwater gates are being built in three inlets—Lido, Malamocco, and Chioggia—so that when the water level reaches a certain point during the high water season (Oct-Jan), the gates rise and stop the water from flooding into the lagoon. It was realized that the gates could pose a problem to port traffic, so locks were also installed. Locks are just like elevators for boats. From the MOSE Control Centre, special consoles are used to decide when the gates should be used. The mobile gates can easily raise to stop Venice from flooding, but they also allow boats to pass through. Most of the water enters at the inlets so the gates were built there in order to minimize water intrusion. The project isn’t complete yet, mostly because of overspending and corruption scandal, but in total, 78 gates will be built, ranging from 18.5 to 29 meters long, and 3.6 to 5 meters thick. Hopefully this will keep Venice from sinking!
Very interesting to read about MOSE! We’ve never seen Venice so I hope this solution works!
Thank you Aboul Hosns! I hope it works too!
When it floods – alarms ring throughout the city – and the city workers put out elevated temporary walkways (look like folding tables with really short legs placed end to end). Fashionable Venetians will be seen with disposable plastic hip waders (OK usually up to the knees) over their shoes!
I’ve seen pictures but never been there when it is flooded… That’d be such a different experience!
Wow, William, you gave a very detailed and certainly science-based information about it. The biblical significance of the project name is so interesting. I just read the article about your family going to Switzerland for one day and am wondering what you think about the differences between these two countries? Or even any differences among the cities that you traveled in Italy? Since I have never been to Italy, I’d like to hear from you about the differences between the northern city like Milan and Rome?
Thank you Mrs. Ruan! I noticed that Switzerland was a lot cleaner and on time (train-wise) than Italy. In Italy itself, I noticed that cities like Milan and Rome had similar feels (busy, crowded, and big-city feel), and smaller places like Cinque Terre were much more calm. Still busy, but not like a big city. Milan also wasn’t as touristy as the other places!
Thank you for the good overview of the system, William. I’m glad you got to learn about it and see the damage already caused and understand why they are using systems like MOSE to mitigate further issues.
Thanks Dr. Calvery! I really enjoyed researching MOSE.