Large cruise ships banned from the historic centre of Venice

The Italian government has announced that large cruise ships will be banned from entering Venice’s historic centre.

Ships weighing more than 1,000 tonnes will be rerouted away from certain waterways from September.

The move follows an accident in June in which a ship collided with a dock, injuring five people.

Venice hosted 594 cruise ships in 2018, and critics say the currents created as the ships pass by are damaging the Renaissance buildings.

Starting from next month, some liners will be forced to dock at the Fusina and Lombardia terminals away from the city centre. By the end of 2020, a third of all ships will be rerouted.

Critics have long said waves created by cruise ships on the canal erode the foundations of the city, which regularly suffers from flooding. Others have also complained that they detract from the beauty of Venice’s historic sites and bring in too many tourists.

Via The Financial Times/ ANSA/BBC