Episode #278: Saving Venice – What does the Future Hold for the Lagoon City?

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Summary

We welcome US journalist Erica Hill to the podcast to share with Untold Italy founder, Katy Clarke, her insights into the people and projects of Venice, striving to drive the city forward. Her documentary for CNN, ‘Save Venice’, is available to stream now and is a must-watch for any Venice lover, or anyone thinking of visiting the magical Canal City.

What you’ll learn in this episode

• Why Venice is more than just a dream destination – it’s a city facing real and urgent challenges
• CNN journalist Erica Hill came to create Saving Venice, a documentary focused on the city’s future, after reading the article Let Venice Sink and wanting to know more
• What inspired Erica Hill and the team to shift the focus from environmental doom to human-centered storytelling
• The beauty and complexity of Venice as seen through the eyes of a first-time visitor and filmmaker
• What it’s like to film in Venice across different seasons and experience traditions like the Redentore festival
• How everyday life unfolds in quieter neighborhoods, revealing the city as a living, working place
• The impact of overtourism and population decline on Venice’s infrastructure and community life
• Why venturing beyond the main tourist areas leads to a more authentic and memorable visit
• How you can connect with local traditions through activities like rowing lessons and festivals
• Stories of Venetians making a difference – chefs, artisans, and entrepreneurs driving change
• How Venice continues to evolve while balancing preservation and sustainability
• Ways to support the city as a mindful traveler – where to go, what to do, and how to give back
• Why hope, civic action, and international awareness are essential for Venice’s long-term survival
• For a deep dive, read the article Shall we let Venice sink? by Valeria Necchio, a local food and travel writer who has appeared on our podcast in episodes 148 and 121
• “Saving Venice” and the entire “The Whole Story with Anderson Cooper” library is available to stream now on Max or enjoyed as a “showcast” wherever you get your podcasts

Timeline Overview

• 05:58 Venice’s timeless beauty and resilience
• 07:15 Erica’s magical birthday trip highlights
• 11:04 The fascination of Venice’s everyday life – from trash, to the school run, to emergencies
• 17:09 Stories of trust and tradition with the locals who are trying to save their city
• 22:51 How Venice will find revitalization through innovation
• 29:21 Spotlight on Venice artisans
• 32:31 The documentary highlights Venice’s human side
• 34:21 Stream ‘Saving Venice’ now

About our guest – Erica Hill from CNN

Erica Hill is an award-winning journalist and anchor for CNN, contributing across the network’s platforms internationally.

Throughout her wide-ranging career, Hill has led coverage of major domestic and international news stories from both the field and the studio, including U.S. presidential elections, a global pandemic, mass shootings and natural disasters. Hill co-hosted six CNN/Sesame Street Town Halls on COVID-19, one of which earned CNN its first Daytime Emmy nomination.

Previously, she co-anchored NBC’s Weekend TODAY and contributed to TODAY, NBC Nightly News, and MSNBC. She also co-hosted CBS’s flagship morning show.

Hill first joined CNN in 2003, later becoming a correspondent for Anderson Cooper 360° and host of On the Story with Erica Hill. She began her career at ZDTV/TechTV, advancing from production assistant to anchor and reporter.

She was part of NBC’s Peabody Award-winning team for “In Plain Sight: Poverty in America” and received a Gracie Award in 2015. Hill serves on the boards of Americares and Boston University’s College of Communication and is based in CNN’s New York bureau.

Follow Erica here

• Website
• Instagram

Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned

Places

• Castello – the largest of the 6 districts in Venice
• Doge’s Palace – formerly the Doge’s residence and the seat of the Venetian government
• Al Covo – restaurant run by Cesare Benelli and his wife Diane, who featured in the documentary
• Sant’Erasmo – an island in the Venetian Lagoon lying north-east of the Lido island
• Rialto bridge – famous white bridge of Venice spanning the Grand Canal
• Cannaregio – the northernmost of the six historic sestieri (districts) of Venice
• Relight – shop setup by Michela Bortolozzi selling local, artisan, handcrafted items. She is part of a project encouraging slow tourism
• Tenuta Venissa – wine resort on the island of Mazzorbo

Food / Drink

• Select – historic Venetian spirit used in spritzes for aperitivo
• Cynar – a bitter liqueur made from artichoke leaves and other herbs popular in Venetian spritzes

Words / Concepts

• La Serenissima – meaning “The Most Serene”, this was the nickname for the Republic of Venice
• Let Venice Sink – article in Wired magazine which inspired Erica to find out more
• Fabio Carrera – founder and director of the Venice Project Center and works at Worcester Polytechnic Institute
• Festa del Redentore – held on the third Sunday of July, this festival celebrates the end of a plague outbreak in 1576. It includes a temporary pontoon bridge connecting Venice to the Church of the Redentore on the island of Giudecca, a huge fireworks display, and a boat race
• Osti in Orto – a project in Venice of 13 Venetian restaurateurs who are cultivating vegetables in the island of Sant’Erasmo
• Matteo Silverio – artisan glassblower and co-founder of Rehub, recycling glass waste 
• Design X Venice – project with MIT (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
• Fórcola – the oar locks on gondolas and rowing boats. Made into pieces of design by Piero Dri, who is mentioned in our episode on the Artisans of Venice
• Shall we let Venice sink? – article by Valeria Necchio, a food and travel writer who specializes in Italian culture, particularly that of her region, Veneto and has appeared on our podcast in episodes 148 and 121

Related content on Untold Italy

Podcasts

• Ep 222 – Must have experiences in Venice
• Ep 208 – Introducing the amazing artisans of Venice
• Ep 185 – Venetian cicchetti – a food lovers guide
• Ep 177 – Budget-friendly Venice
• Ep 148 – Dishes to try in the Lagoon city
• Ep 132 – Why you need to spend at least 3 days in Venice
• Ep 121 – Islands of Venice
• Ep 111 – Carnevale in Venice – Parties, costumes and more
• Ep 087 – The story of the Venetian gondola
• Ep 048 – Venice districts – Best places to stay
• Ep 035 – Venetian Secrets – Uncovering the soul of Venice
• Ep 010 – Highlights of Venice

Articles

• Venice travel guide
• Main Attractions in Venice
• Where to stay in Venice: Neighborhood and Area Guide
• Venice tourist tax
• Best Hotels in Venice: 5 Star, Boutique and Luxury Hotels
• Family-friendly hotels in Venice
• 3-day itinerary for Venice
• Best tours in Venice
• How to get from Rome to Venice
• Venice with kids
• Hidden Gems in Venice
• Venice Airport Transfers
• Venetian Cicchetti guide
• Delicious Venetian Food to Try
• How to get tickets for the Doge’s Palace
• Top reasons to visit Venice in winter
• Day trips from Venice

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