What’s land recycling? Read about this German example
The city of Flensburg got a grant from the regional government of Schleswig-Holstein so that it would avoid building on new land
The ritual is more than 1000 years old and was originally performed by the Doges
If you happen to be in Venice or nearby this Sunday (12 May), you should witness a curious and ancient ceremony that takes place every year around this time. Called “Sposalizio del Mare” (Mariage of the Sea), it symbolizes the long maritime heritage and dominion of the Republic of Venice. The ritual has been an integral part of the Festa de la Sensa (Feast of the Ascension).
The festivity is highly ritualistic and according to sources it was first held around the year 1000 AD at the time when Venice was busy conquering the Dalmatian coast. In that sense, it serves to commemorate and honour the glorious (and some might say proto-colonialist) past of the Serene Republic, which was the greatest maritime power of the Middle Ages.
Originally, the Marriage of the Sea ceremony involved the Doge, the supreme leader of Venice, as the main protagonist. Dressed in full regalia, he would board a barge called bucentaur, where he would be then joined by the Patriarch of Venice and other dignitaries.
The Patriarch would perform a ritualistic marriage between the Adriatic Sea and Venice (with the Doge serving as its representative) and pour a pot of holy water into the sea. Then the Doge would step up and throw a golden ring into the waters pronouncing the words:
Desponsamus te, mare. In signum veri perpetuique dominii.” (“We marry you, oh Sea! As a sign of true and perpetual dominion.”)
The ceremony was regularly performed until the demise of the Venetian Republic in 1797 and even one famous Venetian by the name of Giacomo Casanova wrote about it a bit sarcastically. He described the Doge’s barge as not very seaworthy and that even a strong headwind could “drown the doge with all the most serene lordship, the ambassadors and the nuncio of the pope", but if it happened then the Doge could finally consummate his marriage.
With the loss of Venetian independence, the ritual disappeared but in 1965 it was revived as a local cultural heritage monument. Nowadays, the place of the Doge is taken by the Mayor of Venice, who makes sure to affirm the commitment of his city to the sea with a golden ring.
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
His name is Adrian-Dragoș Benea from Romania
Find out her vision for the next five years and what’s in store for the European Union
Gotland wants to be at the forefront of this emerging mobility technology
It’s all about preventing the habit of slowing down just for the radar
Landkreis Heilbronn will also enlist the help of sensors to identify incorrectly filled organic trash bins
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
The Old Continent gets ready for the largest festival of sports
Apparently, that makes it the most progressive city in that respect in all of Finland
The goal is to preserve these traditional features in the urban landscape while finding new purpose for their existence
Residents couldn’t handle the noise pollution anymore
Urban dwellers across the EU are having a say in making their surroundings friendlier to people and the environment.
Forests in the EU can help green the European construction industry and bolster a continent-wide push for architectural improvements.
Apply by 10 November and do your part for the transformation of European public spaces
An interview with the Mayor of a Polish city that seeks to reinvent itself
An interview with the newly elected ICLEI President and Mayor of Malmö
A conversation with the Mayor of Lisbon about the spirit and dimensions of innovation present in the Portuguese capital