by InTrieste
Venice’s streets and iconic bridges were packed with tourists this past Valentine’s weekend as carnival celebrations kicked off, intensifying concerns over overcrowding in the historic Italian city.
A viral video showing crowds struggling to move on Ponte Rialto as visitors vied for a glimpse of the carnival water parade on the Grand Canal has sparked fresh debate on the city’s ability to handle large crowds.
An estimated 150,000 tourists flooded the city, drawn by the perfect combination of Valentine’s Day, sunny weather, and the start of Carnevale, according to Corriere della Sera.
Despite appeals from locals for better crowd control measures, police sought to downplay the chaos, stating the congestion was brief and that the city was well-prepared for the influx of visitors.
“The situation was under control, and there were no critical moments,” said Darco Pellos, Venice’s prefect, speaking to Corriere della Sera. “We anticipated many visitors for Carnival and had been preparing for this moment for a long time.”
This year’s carnival celebrations, which kicked off on February 14 to mark the 300th anniversary of Casanova’s birth, will continue until March 4.
However, the latest surge in tourism comes as the city prepares to implement its controversial day-tripper entry fee system. Starting on April 18, Venice will charge visitors an entry fee on 54 days between April and July, mainly on weekends and public holidays. The fee, initially set at €5, will rise to €10 for those who book less than four days in advance. The fee will not apply to residents or those staying overnight.
As the crowds grow, so does the pressure on city officials to balance the needs of residents, tourists, and the preservation of Venice’s delicate infrastructure.
