MOSE

MOSE, short for Modulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico, is a large-scale flood protection project for the city of Venice, Italy. It consists of a system of movable gates and underwater barriers designed to seal the three inlets—Lido, Malamocco, and Chioggia—into the Venetian Lagoon during exceptionally high tides (acqua alta) so as to prevent flooding of the city and surrounding areas. The gates are deployed from submerged caissons and are controlled automatically to rise or close in response to tide data, intending to keep normal tidal flows when not in use.

History and development of the project trace back to the early 2000s, when the Italian government and the city of Venice launched MOSE as part of a broader strategy to defend the lagoon from rising sea levels and recurrent floods. Construction began around 2003 and has been marked by significant delays, cost overruns, and political controversy. In the 2010s, prosecutors charged several officials and contractors in connection with corruption investigations related to the procurement and construction of MOSE; some convictions followed. Despite setbacks, significant portions of the system were completed and subjected to testing.

Status and reception of MOSE reflect ongoing debate about its effectiveness and consequences. The system is intended to reduce the frequency and severity of acqua alta events while allowing normal marine traffic and lagoon exchange at other times. Proponents argue it is a critical piece of Venice’s climate adaptation strategy, but critics point to environmental impacts, long-term maintenance costs, and the legal controversies surrounding its development. The project remains a key element of Venice’s flood defense, with ongoing evaluation of its performance under changing conditions.