Gondolas lie idle as Venice's canals left almost empty by low tide - in pictures

The lagoon city was eerily quiet over the weekend

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  Gondolas lay idle as they sit on the muddy bed of a canal in the San Marco district of Venice, Italy, on February 25, 2021. EPA

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  Gondolas are seen in a canal during an exceptionally low tide in the lagoon city of Venice. Reuters

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  Water levels reached a peak of -48 centimetres. Reuters

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  Gondolas are seen in the Grand Canal during low tide. Reuters

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  Venice has always lived in a fragile balance between low and high tides. Reuters

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  Flooding is a constant enemy of the art city built on a collection of small islands within a saltwater lagoon. Reuters

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  Gondolas are seen in the Grand Canal during low tide. Reuters

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  Since 2003, a massive infrastructure project has been under way to protect the city from flooding. Reuters

Venice's famed canals were left almost empty this weekend, as low tides caused the lagoon city to sit eerily still.

Traditional gondolas and boats could be seen almost beached in the canals on Friday as water levels reached a peak of -48 centimetres.

Venice, beloved around the world for its canals, historic architecture and art, has always lived in a fragile balance between low and high tides, which usually create variations of around 50cm in sea levels.

Flooding is a constant enemy of the art city built on a collection of small islands within a saltwater lagoon off the north-eastern coast of Italy, with every new incursion damaging its medieval and Renaissance palaces.

In November last year, the city was ravaged by flooding, the worst Venice has witnessed in 53 years.

High tides flooded St Mark's Square, with water levels peaking at 1.87 metres, as Gritti Palace, cafes and shops were also left submerged.

Since 2003, a massive infrastructure project has been under way to protect the city, but it has been plagued by cost overruns, scandals and delays.

The system of movable underwater barriers, dubbed Moses, is, however, on track to be fully operational by the end of 2021, with work stepped up in the wake of November's floods.

In the 150 years that they have been recording the tide levels in Venice, two high tides above 1.5 metres have never been recorded in a year. In November, there were three in one week.

Additional reporting from Reuters