Britannica Sources used in this answer

How has UNESCO worked to protect Venice and its lagoon?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Ajanta Caves: reclining Buddha — World Heritage site Reclining Buddha statue, Ajanta Caves, north-central Maharashtra state, India.

In 1987, Venice and its lagoon were collectively designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in recognition of their unique environmental, architectural, and historical significance.1

Following the disastrous floods of 1966, UNESCO began coordinating an international effort to preserve the city. This initiative has focused on safeguarding Venice and its art treasures from the combined threats of corrosive air pollution, rising damp, flooding, and general decay.2

UNESCO’s involvement has facilitated international funding, the effects of which are visible in the ongoing renovation of historic buildings and monuments. Furthermore, these efforts have encouraged the establishment of various national committees dedicated to the conservation of the city's artistic patrimony. While the city faces complex challenges—including subsidence, rising water levels, and administrative hurdles regarding flood-control projects—the UNESCO designation underscores a universal commitment to protecting this fragile and irreplaceable heritage for humanity.213