Large cruise ships will be banned from sailing into the center of Venice from August 1st, after years of warnings that they risk causing irreparable damage to the lagoon city. The decision, confirmed at a Cabinet meeting on July 13th, came just in time, because UNESCO recommended last month adding Venice to its list of World Heritage in Danger sites. UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay said that the Italian government’s decision is “very good news and an important step to the safeguarding of this unique heritage site.”
The ban applies to ships that weigh more than 25,000 tons, are longer than 180 meters (530 feet), or have other characteristics that would make them too polluting or overwhelming for Venice's environment.
The Cabinet decree also establishes “an unbreakable principle”, by declaring the urban waterways of St. Mark's Basin, St. Mark's Canal and the Giudecca Canal a national monument.
Bezos’ space flight blasted off on July 20th. He was joined by his brother, Mark, and two other lucky guests.