Use the links above to see more photos.

In the 7th century people from the mainland moved to marshy islands in the middle of a lagoon which offered protection from invading hordes that trampled through northern Italy in the wake of the Roman Empire. The Republic of Venice which they created - the world trade center of its time - remained impregnable for over a millennium thanks to the surrounding sea.

But every once in a while the sea tries to take back Venice. This past November sea levels in the lagoon rose by 143 cm which meant nearly a third of the city was inundated. Any combination of factors can cause this: high tides, strong winds, heavy rains, swollen rivers - the latest culprit is global warming.