Venice, Italy, Nov 13, 2019 / 08:05 am
The crypt of St. Mark's Basilica was completely flooded Wednesday, after Venice's water levels hit the highest level in more than 50 years.
Local authorities have called for a state of emergency after one man died in the worst flooding in Venice in decades. The high water mark reached over 6 feet, the highest level since 1966.
The Patriarch of Venice Francesco Moraglia and the city's mayor, Luigi Brugnaro, inspected the damage at St. Mark's Basilica together on Nov. 13, the morning after the heavy rains subsided.
"St. Mark's Basilica has suffered serious damage, as has the entire city and the islands," Venice mayor Brugnaro confirmed after the visit.