Climate change and land subsidence in the frame of "Venezia 2021" project : the deterioration of architectural stone materials

The overflowing of the canals and the flooding of the pedestrian walkways are the consequences of the well-known periodic large water inflow into the Venetian lagoon (high water or acqua alta). These phenomena lead the strong degradation of the stone buildings over time. With the aim to better understand the effects of high water and support the best actions and practices for preserving the cultural heritage of Venice by Municipality and Superintendences, thirty samples of five varieties of carbonate lithotypes were exposed to natural weathering in different Venetian areas and on Torcello island. The specimens were periodically monitored and compared with samples made of the same lithologies subjected to accelerated artificial aging tests. The results concerning the main deterioration morphologies observed on all the samples after three years of exposure are here presented and commented.