NPR

After Venice Floods, Volunteers Wade In To Help Salvage What They Can

The Italian city is reeling from a week in which floodwaters damaged the city's cultural legacy, as well as homes and businesses. Volunteers are helping salvage precious books, among other items.
Volunteers set up a footbridge across Venice's flooded Riva degli Schiavoni embankment on Nov. 13.

The Italian city of Venice is still reeling from a week of three exceptional tides whose floodwaters have caused massive damage to the city's cultural legacy and to residences and businesses.

The disaster has gripped Italy and inspired a wave of volunteers to salvage what they can.

There is a bookshop in Campiello del Tintor square named Libreria, which means High Water Bookstore. Following Sunday's exceptional high tide, the square as well as the store's pavement were under several inches of water.

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