Diga di Sottomarina e Murazzi

The Murazzi and the Sottomarina breakwater represent different generations of engineering along Chioggia's coast. The eighteenth-century stone sea walls and the later harbour works record the continuing effort to protect the lagoon's narrow coastal barrier.

Why it matters

Venice built the Murazzi as part of a defensive system extending along the Lido, Pellestrina and Sottomarina. The Sottomarina section linked the area of Forte San Felice with the town. The later breakwater belongs to the modern development of the port entrance.

What to notice

Large blocks of pale Istrian stone distinguish the older walls. Their position inland from parts of the sandy shore shows how the coastline has changed. The breakwater extends towards the harbour entrance, with fishing platforms and a lighthouse adding to its maritime character.

Context and history

Construction of the Murazzi occupied much of the eighteenth century. Storm damage, including the disaster of November 1966, and later protective works form part of their history. The Sottomarina breakwater was developed after the First World War and inaugurated in 1935. Together the structures mark the relationship between coastal settlement, harbour engineering and the changing beach.