Venice's bridges make it insurmountable for many visitors with mobility issues
(CNN) — Its 403 bridges, canals and pretty cobbled streets
have made Venice one of the world's most beautiful cities. But it is near
impossible for wheelchair users to navigate.
Now though, all that will change. Venice
authorities will make the city's main sights accessible to all, with a
wheelchair-friendly route from the city's main entry point to the iconic St.
Mark's Square.
To kick off the project, the council has announced
the construction of six ramps at heavily trafficked parts of the city: four on
the route to St. Mark's, and two at other crucial points for locals. The scheme
will cost €900,000 ($1.6 million).
Francesca Zaccariotto, councilor for public works, says
the aim is "to build at least one route that will allow people of all ages
to go at least from Piazzale Roma - the gateway to the Italian mainland - to
St. Mark's without barriers."
The new route will not only be wheelchair
accessible. "We have widened the plan so that everyone can do it without
problems, including blind people, which wasn't in the original plan," said
Zaccariotto."We are making steps easier to climb and adding non-slippery
surfaces."
Venice is a tricky city to update, she said,
because of strict rules around changing its cultural heritage. But, she said,
the aim is to become "an example of accessibility for people with mobility
issues. It will be a huge message to other places which fail to address access
-- they will be left with no excuse."
From CNN (edited)
Photo credit: Marco Piraccini/Mondadori Portfolio
Courtesy Comune di Venezia
