In 1956, Venice witnessed an extraordinary event: for the first time in centuries, its famous canals were drained and cleaned.
This effort, known as the "Svolte di Popolazio" or Popular Revolution, aimed to improve the city's hygiene and infrastructure. The canals, filled with debris accumulated over time, posed a threat to the architectural heritage.
The cleaning required meticulous work by engineers, workers, and volunteers. During the drainage, hidden treasures, such as lost artefacts and sunken boats, were uncovered. The teams removed tons of sediment and restored the canals to their ancient depth and clarity.