Palazzo Barbarigo, a 16th-century palace on Venice's Grand Canal, was named after the Barbarigo family, its aristocratic builders. Originally from Istria, their prominence in the Venetian Empire generated several ruling class patriarchs. A proprietor of a Venetian glass company owned the palace in 1886 when he became inspired by the mosaics of St. Mark's Basilica. As a result, Murano glass mosaics cover the palazzo's exterior. The classical Renaissance design makes the bottom floor's loggia susceptible to the lagoon's flooding.

The waves entering St. Mark's Square during the November 2019 floods put the writing on the wall for the city. Venice is sinking slower than the sea is swallowing it. While Venice has slowly settled on its soft foundation since the fifth century, the rising sea levels have amplified the sinking effect. Italy's National Research Center (CNR) uses the sea level data collected in Venice since 1872 to understand the country's coastal flooding. The information shows that the frequency of floods has increased and become more severe over the recent decades. The extreme surges in 2019 cannot be explained by statistical data, sinking, storms, or tides.

With the sea expected to rise by over four feet in the next 100 years due to man-made climate change, the residents and government took proactive measures to protect Venice and its landmarks from "Acqua Alta" (high water). At the turn of the century, a plan for a retractable MOSE system (MOdulo Sperimentale Elettromeccanico) barrier at the lagoon's entry began. The barrier's completion was delayed due to several complications, including rising tide. But, it has finally started actively protecting Venice. Additionally, the city works to decrease its carbon footprint by reducing tourism. They exiled large cruise ships and implemented a tourist visitation reservation system.