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Greater Venice |
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Mestre – in relation to
Venice |
Mestre and Maghera |
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| Mestre Mestre was incorporated within the official city limits of Venice in 1926. From that point on the mayor of Venice has been responsible for an area twice the size of the original island site of the city. The incorporation of Mestre has caused many urban problems. The space and potential for expansion on the mainland, the decreased cost of living, and the plentitude of schools and jobs has lured Venice’s population away from the Historic Core. | ||
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Although, the thought of cutting Mestre loose is appealing, the district is crucial to Venice. The Port of Maghera, an area of high industrial and shipping activity, lies within the city limits. These factories and ports are crucial to Venice, essentially acting as the city Central Business District and keeping Venice in the global economy. However, Maghera threatens Venice by creating the possibility of an oil spill in the lagoon and generating water and air pollution. |
Port of Maghera (Freefoto) |
| The Islands |
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The Islands (Storti) |
There are many islands in the Venetian lagoon, all of which have developed their own, unique character, but now serve similar functions. Each island maintains its old structures, such as churches, monasteries and towers, in an attempt to preserve history and attract tourists. The various, small scale industries of these island are important to Venice’s economy. San Giorgio Maggiore, La Guidecca, and Lido are found south of the Historic Center. To the north floats San Michele, Murano, Burano, and Torcello. | |||
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Murano, now a popular summer retreat for Venice’s upper class, is the home of the infamous glass industry associated with the city since the tenth century. The factories were moved from the Historic Center to Murano as a safety precaution in 1219. |
Glass flowers in a glass
shop, Murano |
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| Burano is known for its brightly colored houses and its fishing and lace-making industries. The small island is covered by grassy open space and is the site of a new housing development. Torcello, the farthest north, is the least populated of the northern islands. Until the thirteenth century it was a thriving community, then people began to desert the island. Today, the island has only one hundred inhabitants. | |||
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Lying close to the southern side of the Historic Venice are the long, skinny La Guidecca and the small San Giorgio Maggiore. Before the Ghetto was built, the Jews inhabited La Guidecca, which was once a manufacturing district. The island is a very elite area in which the wealthy own large villas and private gardens. Farther south, Lido has a golf course, public and private beaches, and resort like hotels. |
Private beach, Lido (Imboden) |
