AP PHOTOS: Flooding threatens Venice and its treasures

Severe flooding in Venice is threatening the Italian city famed for its canals and architecture.

Tourist favorites like St. Mark’s Square have been deluged since Tuesday, when Venice was hit with its worst flooding in 50 years. Water levels reached nearly 1.9 meters (6 feet, 1 inch) above sea level.

The flooding has been attributed mostly to a combination of high tides from a full moon and high winds pushing water from the shallow Adriatic Sea into Venice. But scientists say climate change is also having an effect.

People wade through water in a flooded Venice, Italy, Nov. 12, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

More than 50 churches have reported damage. Suitcases and bags of garbage have been seen floating through the city. Damaged books are piled outside the renowned bookstore Acqua Alta, whose name means “high water.”

The Italian government declared a state of emergency Thursday.

A photographer takes pictures in a flooded St. Mark's Square, in Venice, Italy, Nov. 12, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

A man holds his luggage as he wades through water in Venice, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

A flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

People walk on catwalk set up on the occasion of a high tide, in a flooded Venice, Italy, Nov. 12, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

A woman sits in a chair in a flooded St. Mark's Square, in Venice, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

People stand near shops in a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

Damaged books are piled outside renowned bookstore "Acqua Alta" (High Water) after flooding in Venice, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

Garbage bags float inside a shop Venice, Italy, Friday, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

People wade through water in Venice, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

Tourists take pictures in a flooded St. Mark's Square, in Venice, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

Banksy's migrant child mural is partially submerged in Venice, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

A woman tries to cross a flooded street as people walk on a trestle bridge during high water, in Venice, northern Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (Andrea MerolaANSA via AP)

Tourists gather near a flooded St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

A couple wades their way through water in Venice, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

A stranded ferry boat lies on its side, in Venice, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoLuigi Costantini)

Tourists carry their luggage as they wade through water on the occasion of a high tide, in a flooded Venice, Italy, Nov. 12, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

Women wade through water in Venice, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

People wade through water during a high tide, in Venice, Nov. 13, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

A woman is silhouetted as she walks towards a flooded St. Mark's Square, on the occasion of a high tide, in Venice, Italy, Nov. 12, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)

A woman wearing a bride dress poses for a early morning picture in St. Mark's Square in Venice, Italy, Nov. 15, 2019. (AP PhotoLuca Bruno)