Italy: Venice back to life after lockdown

Venice: Venice’s top landmark, St Mark’s Basilica, has reopened to the public, following a closure of more than three months due to the covid-19 crisis.

However visitor numbers are being restricted, with only 150 people allowed to enter every hour, reports Italian news agency ANSA.

Another nearby tourist attraction reopened Friday: Caffè Florian, the oldest coffee house in the world.

The bar, which celebrates its 300th anniversary later this year, will open initially from Thursday to Sunday in June, before opening every day except Wednesday during July, reports Forbes.

Over the last three centuries, the bar has welcomed countless cultural figures from Lord Byron to Ernest Hemingway.

Another cultural landmark, the Libreria Acqua Alta – considered by many as the world’s most beautiful bookshop – has also reopened for business.

However the bookstore’s popularity has resulted in problems with social distancing rules in recent days, leading the owners to request visitors queueing up outside to maintain the necessary interpersonal space of at least one metre.

Venice canals like coral reef during lockdown
Venice’s La Fenice opera house will also reopen on 15 June, with a party to celebrate the 90th birthday of the acclaimed opera director, set and costume designer Pier Luigi Pizzi.

As Venice prepares for a gradual return to international tourism, key to its economy, the city has put on hold its plan to introduce a tourist entry fee.

Meanwhile it is currently possible to visit an almost “empty” lagoon city, an unthinkable prospect in any other summer.