Boundary Markers

This page gives an overview of all the boundary markers that denoted the border of the Venetian Lagoon. For a typical boundary marker, see Boundary Marker.

Markers are white tangible erections of stone or brick that the Venetian Republic used to denote the extent of the Water Authority’s control. There are 100 markers that were placed in 1791 that outline this boundary.

Placement

The markers had a strategic placement around the outside of the lagoon roughly separating the land and the sea. They were placed at river junctions, lagoon inlets, bridges and along canals; sometimes placed on the right bank of a river, others on the left, based on the presence of fresh or saltwater. The fresh water was more usable for farms on the [[Terraferma|Terraferma] so, for economic reasons, the it wanted to make claims to that water.

Modern Day Significance

The markers have geographical significance in that they roughly divide Venice into its Estuario and its Terraferma. They are also considered works of public art and therefore have historical significance.