Venice in Peril

Venice in Peril Venice in Peril raises funds for the conservation of at-risk monuments and art in Venice

Venice in Peril is dedicated to spreading the message that Venice is so fragile that it will survive only as long as people want it to survive and are prepared to spend a great deal of money and energy on looking after it. The Venice in Peril Fund was created after the great flood of 1966, when the waters rose to nearly two meters above mean water-level. Since then it has disbursed millions of po

unds for the restoration of Venetian monuments, buildings and works of art. Il Venice in Peril Fund

Il Venice in Peril Fund è impegnato a garantire la sostenibilità di Venezia. Agisce come lobby e lavora per trovare risposte ad alcune delle cruciali questioni ecologiche, demografiche e socio-economiche alle quali si trova confrontata la città lagunare. Le nostre risorse vanno a favore del continuo lavoro di conservazione necessario per mantenere viva questa magica città, fragile sotto il profilo ambientale.

The Disdotona ceremonial gondola, the longest and most prestigious ever built in Venice, once again took to the waters t...
01/06/2026

The Disdotona ceremonial gondola, the longest and most prestigious ever built in Venice, once again took to the waters this year during the Festa della Sensa Regattas, one of Venice’s most significant annual celebrations.

Venice in Peril Fund is delighted to share images of this remarkable vessel as it appears in its annual role within one of Venice’s most evocative and historic maritime celebrations. The Sensa Regattas form part of a tradition which commemorates Venice’s enduring relationship with the sea.

The Disdotona, commissioned to celebrate and preserve Venetian rowing traditions and boatbuilding skills, is seen here both in procession and in the distinctive moment of salute, with oars raised in tribute. Its presence on the water among the other vessels reflects the continuing vitality of these living traditions, upheld by the city’s rowing communities.

We are pleased that the Disdotona also participated in the 50th anniversary of the Vogalonga on 24 May, joining another important occasion dedicated to Venice’s rowing heritage and lagoon culture.

Looking back to last Tuesday and the Kirker Annual Spring Lecture in aid of Venice in Peril Fund. Once again the RGS was...
19/05/2026

Looking back to last Tuesday and the Kirker Annual Spring Lecture in aid of Venice in Peril Fund. Once again the RGS was filled to the rafters with friends of Venice in Peril, discerning travellers from Kirker and this year many new faces from the literary world who came in support of renowned travel writer and biographer, Sara Wheeler, who delivered a gripping talk delving into the nuanced relationship and importance of Venice to Jan Morris, full of humorous moments and insights not contained in her recently published book, “Jan Morris: A Life”. We were delighted to welcome 550 attendees, and thank and for their support.

A recording of Sara’s lecture is available for purchase on our website.

We are delighted to announce a new conservation project, La Disdotona — the largest and most prestigious Venetian gondol...
30/04/2026

We are delighted to announce a new conservation project, La Disdotona — the largest and most prestigious Venetian gondola ever built.

At 24 metres long and powered by 18 oars (disdoto, meaning “eighteen” in Venetian dialect), it represents a living symbol of the Venetian rowing tradition and masterful boatbuilding. Originally commissioned in 1903 by the Francesco Querini Rowing Club, La Disdotona is now in its third incarnation (1973). While it continues ceremonial duties for which it was commissioned, such as joining the Festa della Sensa marking Venice’s historic ‘Marriage with the Sea’, the vessel also proudly represents Venice on an international stage, including appearances at Henley Royal Regatta in 2004 and the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant in 2012.

After five decades of service, the gondola now requires urgent conservation to secure its future and remain watertight. The project will replace damaged wooden elements, strengthen joints and fittings, and revive its decorative details, ensuring La Disdotona continues to embody Venetian maritime heritage for generations to come. Learn more about the project on our website.

Celebrations at St George’s Anglican Church in Venice, last Sunday. Venice in Peril Fund supporter, Rosemary Yallop co-o...
23/04/2026

Celebrations at St George’s Anglican Church in Venice, last Sunday.

Venice in Peril Fund supporter, Rosemary Yallop co-organised a very beautiful and heartfelt occasion of commemoration.

The day marked two important anniversaries: 120 years since the original dedication of the Church, and 100 years since the installation of the bronze doors which serve as a memorial to the British servicemen who died on the Italian front and at sea in the First World War.

Venice in Peril Fund is proud to have conserved these historic doors in 2014, whose creation from two historic British Army cannons involved the collaboration of the War Council in London, the British Ambassador in Rome, the advising Italian architect, the sculptor Napoleone Martinuizzi, as well as support from diplomatic, ecclesiastical and military representatives and many British residents in Venice.

The recent celebrations were officiated by ‘s outgoing chaplain, Very Revd Lucinda Laird, and Rt Revd Andrew Norman, Suffragan Bishop in Europe and enriched by a solo from Liesl Odenweller of as well as other musical contributions by a choir from Cambridge. We were pleased that many Venice in Peril Fund Trustees, Patrons, friends and supporters were able to attend.

Easter Monday in the Venetian Lagoon ~ an extraordinary afternoon when the fort of Sant’Andrea was opened to the public ...
15/04/2026

Easter Monday in the Venetian Lagoon ~ an extraordinary afternoon when the fort of Sant’Andrea was opened to the public for an afternoon of artistic interventions and conviviality.

Venice in Peril Fund is delighted to be a cultural partner of this project, promoted by

We are pleased to share these images from their first public invitation to encounter a unique piece of Venetian heritage up close.

Photographs: (1) Samuel Michealsson, (2-7) Matteo De Mayda

On 27 March, we attended the 34th General Assembly of the Association of International Private Committees for the Safegu...
08/04/2026

On 27 March, we attended the 34th General Assembly of the Association of International Private Committees for the Safeguarding of Venice.

During the formal sessions in the imposing Sala del Piovego at the Palazzo Ducale, we were pleased to reconnect in person with fellow committee members and were encouraged by the positive reception of our work in Venice.

Over the weekend, we were delighted to contribute to the AGM 2026 side visits at the Querini Stampalia Foundation, alongside other international committees, where we presented our conservation work on Carlo Scarpa’s Water Gates.

This important annual gathering provides a valuable opportunity to reflect on our collective efforts, strengthen collaborations, exchange ideas, and reflect on both the achievements of the past year and the inspiring plans ahead.

Thank you to for the impeccable organisation.

During our recent Supporters’ Day in Oxford, we had the rare privilege of a private, curator-led viewing of a selection ...
07/04/2026

During our recent Supporters’ Day in Oxford, we had the rare privilege of a private, curator-led viewing of a selection of extraordinary Venetian treasures from the Bodleian Libraries’ special collections.

From illuminated manuscripts and illustrated Renaissance guidebooks to heraldic records and fine bindings - even tales of pirate attacks - it was a breathtaking encounter.

A particular highlight was MS Bodley 264 (15th century). Seeing in detail its celebrated illustration of Marco Polo’s departure from Venice was a true joy.

We are deeply grateful to the curators for their time and expertise, not only for assembling such a remarkable selection, but for bringing these works so vividly to life.

Earlier that day, we were delighted to partner with the where ViPF Director Lavinia Filippi appeared in conversation with Katia Pizzi, discussing Pizzi’s recent collection of Italian short stories, Venice Tales. It was a lively and wide-ranging discussion, and a pleasure to meet such an engaged audience.

Our first visit to Oxford has set the bar high, we hope to return again soon.

During our recent Supporters’ Day in Oxford, we had the rare privilege of a private, curator-led viewing of a selection ...
07/04/2026

During our recent Supporters’ Day in Oxford, we had the rare privilege of a private, curator-led viewing of a selection of extraordinary Venetian treasures from the Bodleian Libraries’ special collections.

From illuminated manuscripts and illustrated Renaissance guidebooks to heraldic records, fine bindings - even tales of pirate attacks - it was a breathtaking encounter.

A particular highlight was MS Bodley 264 (15th century). Seeing in detail its celebrated illustration of Marco Polo’s departure from Venice was a true joy.

We are deeply grateful to the curators for their time and expertise, not only for assembling such a remarkable selection, but for bringing these works so vividly to life.

Earlier that day, we were delighted to partner with the where ViPF Director Lavinia Filippi appeared in conversation with Katia Pizzi, discussing her recent collection of Italian short stories, Venice Tales. It was a lively and wide-ranging discussion, and a pleasure to meet such an engaged audience.

Our first visit to Oxford has set the bar high, we hope to return again soon.

We are delighted to announce a very special collaboration with Michael Hoppen Gallery and artist Sohei Nishino, the frui...
18/03/2026

We are delighted to announce a very special collaboration with Michael Hoppen Gallery and artist Sohei Nishino, the fruit of which was unveiled at TEFAF in Maastricht over the weekend. This latest work by the Japanese artist, entitled Venice, is a diorama map which preserves the city in over 450 rolls of film – a masterpiece of photography, collage and cartography.

A percentage of proceeds from this work will be donated to Venice in Peril Fund, to support our ongoing conservation efforts.

Venice has been a long held ambition of Nishino, and we were pleased to support him during the six weeks which he spent in the city, from securing accommodation (thank you to the for their generosity), to enabling access to certain key campanile across the city providing strategic panoramic views, as well as introducing him to our live conservation sites, connecting with the city’s continued fragility.

We are very proud of this collaboration and tremendously grateful to both and for this generous support of our ongoing conservation efforts. Follow the link in bio to learn more about Diorama Map: Venice.

A completely captivating evening last week at the studio of artist, . Speaking about his inspirations, research, artist...
13/03/2026

A completely captivating evening last week at the studio of artist, . Speaking about his inspirations, research, artistic techniques and the challenges of following in the footsteps of 17th century globe maker, Vincenzo Coronelli, Leonardo not only opened a window for us onto his creative processes, but was inspirational in his vocation to resurrect and sustain the intricate craft of globe making with integrity and vision.

Particularly engaging was discussion around shifting perspectives of the world map through time, and thinking how such texts as Dante’s Divine Comedy might form the basis of a world sphere. We were delighted to have the chance to look at Leonardo’s work closely and ask questions over a glass of wine!

Thank you so much Leonardo for spending this time with us and opening your studio ~ it was a true delight! Venice in Peril Fund greatly values our collaboration and finds your work truly inspiring.

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