More on Moses and Cruise Ships

Yes, I know I'm repeating a picture, but it's my blog so I'm going to do what I want. I'm repeating the photo because I'm following up on earlier postings about cruise ships and Venice, with a little Moses update thrown in. This comes from http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2100-1814892,00.html, the website of the U.K.'s Times and Sunday Times:

"The Italian prime minister Silvio Berlusconi has approved construction of a $2.9 billion underwater dam to keep Venice above water. The Moses project comprises 78 barriers attached to the sea bed, which will prevent the annual inundation of St Mark's Square. World Wildlife Fund Italy agreed with Venice's mayor, Massimo Cacciari, that banning cruise liners and cargo vessels from the lagoon would be a cheaper and more effective means of controlling sea levels." 

Today in History--Venice Goes Italian

On October 3, 1866, Italy and Austria signed a peace treaty. Under the terms of the treaty, Austria surrendered Venice and the surrounding region to Italy. Venice was once again Italian. (Thanks to www.heraldsun.news.com.au for the info.)

Bowling for Gondolas--Vaporetto Destroys Gondolas

Three gondolas sank, two gondolas were seriously damaged, and fourteen poles were lost during the latest spectacular accident in Venice. Last Friday at 7:30 a.m., a broken gear transformed a motor launch into waterborne bowling ball in front of the Hotel Bauer at the end of the Grand Canal. Only the early morning hour averted a human disaster: at that time of day, the gondolas were without passengers. However, the damage was considerable. The three gondolas are beyond repair, and the cost of replacement is estimated to be about 100,000 euros. (From "BUONGIORNO VENEZIA - This Week in Venice" published by VENICEWORD INTERNATIONAL MEDIA SERVICES in Venice, Italy - 3 October 2005.)