Water levels rose to 74in on Tuesday, just 2in short of the 1966 record, flooding St Mark’s Square which is home to priceless artworks. Mayor Luigi Brugnaro is pushing for the completion of long-delayed flood barriers, opposed by environmental campaigners. He said the floods would leave “a permanent mark”, adding: “Now the government must listen. These are the effects of climate change… the costs will be high.”

About 85 percent of the city was flooded while two people died on the island of Pellestrina, a strip of land that separates the Venetian lagoon from the Adriatic. One was a man in his 70s electrocuted as he tried to start a pump in his home. 

Boats, including a gondola, were seen washed up on to pathways alongside canals while the city’s Basilica was also flooded. 

The moveable undersea barriers the mayor is demanding are meant to limit flooding but the project, called Moses, has raised concerns about damage to the delicate lagoon eco-system. It has been hit by cost overruns and alleged corruption scandals. 

Veneto regional governor Luca Zaia said the barriers were almost complete but warned “St Mark’s Square certainly wouldn’t be secure,” referring to one of Venice’s lowest levels. 

A British couple who went for a romantic break got caught up in the flooding. Richard Williams, who is cycling across Europe, met up in the city with his partner Elizabeth Dale, who had arrived from their home in Cornwall. 

Elizabeth said she “struggled to get around as I only had short wellies and I thought I was being sensible bringing them”. 

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