Exploring the Charming Inaccessible Labirynth of Venice
The typical image of Venice is of gondolas floating through canals, grandiose churches, and impossibly narrow alleys. What you probably don’t picture is trying to get around this city with a wheelchair, or other disability that makes it impossible to navigate the four hundred-plus bridges that almost never have ramps. I had heard Venice could be difficult to navigate, but I didn’t fully understand what that meant until I saw someone needing to carry their wheelchair bound kid down a flight of stairs on a bridge.
Venice Isn’t Built for Accessibility
The city is incredibly beautiful, but it wasn’t built with modern accessibility in mind. The layout is incredibly condensed, with uneven stone walkways and thousands of steps. It would be awesome if people with disabilities were able to experience the wonder of Venice.
The Flip Side: Preserving the Beauty of the City
One of the reasons Venice is so magical is that it hasn’t been completely modernized. There are no cars. There’s very little new construction. That charm of the city comes at the cost of convenience and accessibility. Especially after having visited, I am a huge proponent of the city retaining its original construction.
In the evenings, during our trip to Venice, we sat on the edge of the island, and it was some of the most peaceful time I have had on my study abroad trip in Europe. The nights in the city were exceptionally beautiful, with all the lights reflecting off the surface of the water.
Final Thoughts
Venice is like no other city, but if the city wants to be genuinely welcoming, it still has a long way to go when it comes to accessibility. There needs to be more measures taken so that the beauty of the city can be seen by everyone.
– Champe M
Citations:
Lee, C., & Cory Lee After being diagnosed with Spinal Muscular Atrophy at the age of two. (2024, January 11). A wheelchair accessible Venice Italy travel guide. Curb Free with Cory Lee: A Wheelchair Travel Blog. https://curbfreewithcorylee.com/2023/07/15/wheelchair-accessible-venice-italy/
