[rufasterisco]

The debate around preserving Venice's lagoon as a body of water linked to the open sea has been ongoing for centuries. A public authority to oversee these issues, the Magistrato alle Acque [1], was established in 1501, and large-scale public works were mandated around the same time (i.e., rerouting rivers to prevent the lagoon from silting up).

The reasons for this have evolved over time. It began to protect waterways that enabled local commerce, and expanded alongside Venice's dominance across the Mediterranean Sea. This led to the identity of a city that celebrated its "Wedding of the Sea" every year [2].

As a modern-day example of this, UNESCO has enlisted `Venice and its Lagoon` in its World Heritage list [3], stating:

``` Criterion (v): In the Mediterranean area, the lagoon of Venice represents an outstanding example of a semi-lacustral habitat which has become vulnerable as a result of irreversible natural and climate changes. In this coherent ecosystem where the muddy shelves (alternately above and below water level) are as important as the islands, pile-dwellings, fishing villages and rice-fields need to be protected no less than the palazzi and churches. ```

In the present day, when Venice is mainly seen as a tourist attraction, it's easy to underestimate this. However, locals still draw a firm line between those who live in the city and the "campagnoli" (people from the countryside). Any plan to sever this historical link between Venice and the sea would be a tough sell, regardless of its economic or technical feasibility.

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magistrato_alle_acque [2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marriage_of_the_Sea_ceremony [3] https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/394/