Venice is a historic city in northeastern Italy, built on more than 100 small islands in the Venetian Lagoon of the Adriatic Sea. It is connected by a network of canals and over 400 bridges, with the Grand Canal serving as its main thoroughfare. Founded in the 5th century, Venice grew into a powerful maritime republic and a major centre of trade, art, and architecture. Today it is known for landmarks such as St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge, as well as for its ongoing challenges, including flooding, mass tourism, and the preservation of its fragile built environment. I visited Venice last September and today I…