The incredible engineering of Venice

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Stephanie H. Smith |

TED-Ed

• May 2026

To escape Germanic invaders, people fled into the Venetian Lagoon in the 6th century. The settlers set out to tame the mudflats and built a foundation in the marshy maze to support heavier, longer-lasting structures. Little did they know, this system of wood, water, and mud would still be supporting an infamous floating city 1,500 years later. Stephanie H. Smith explores the history of Venice. [Directed by Sofia Pashaei, narrated by Adrian Dannatt, music by Stephen LaRosa, Wonder Boy Audio].