One of the world's most popular tourist destinations, Venice is in a state of emergency. The Medieval Italian city, which is renowned for its romantic canals, gondola rides, and spectacular architecture, is sinking.

Floods have ravaged the city and transformed it into an almost unrecognizable place. Although some tourists are still visiting, the city has seen a dramatic decrease in tourism. Who knows what the future holds for this once epic destination.

The photos of Venice during and after the floods are confronting and eye-opening. They show a city that was once thriving and alive now literally struggling to stay afloat.

Keep reading to see what has happened to one of the planet’s most beloved cities.

20 The Famous Bell Tower Is Sinking

The saddest thing about seeing Venice slowly sinking is seeing the city's famous monuments slowly going under too. St. Mark's Campanile in the city's legendary square is one of the most memorable and iconic parts of Venice, and it looks completely different in this photo.

19 Venice Looking Gloomy

Sure, these tourists don't look like the flooding is bothering them. But with so much water flooding the city's historic grounds, Venice looks gloomier than ever. There are usually so many people, but in the photo, the water makes it seem like more of a ghost town.

18 There Are No Lines Outside The Doge's Palace These Days

Venice is one of the most popular cities in the world. In peak season, you can expect lines and lines of people waiting to get inside the Doge's Palace. But due to the flooding, there are far fewer people in the city. That's a positive thing in some ways, but kind of sad in others.

17 Tourists Need Rainboots

Venice has always been a rainy destination, and in winter, it can indeed get very cold. It's the kind of place where you might want to have water-proof footwear, due to the canals and gondola-riding. But seeing tourists need rainboots just to get around is totally new.

16 The Floods Don't Mean The Work Stops

In some ways, the flooding has stopped Venice from operating as normal. But the locals can't just put their lives on hold because of the situation. This photo is fascinating because it shows that work still goes on. Tourists still obviously need their feta cheese and their fries!

15 The Shops Are Closing Down

While some businesses are still running during the floods, others have no choice but to shut down. Due to their location, staying open could mean damage from all the water. It's sad to think that local businesses could be suffering financial loss as a result of the floods.

14 Getting Around Venice Isn't As Easy As It Used To Be

Actually moving around Venice can be more difficult than moving around your average city. You can't just take a car to where you want to go (although you can take a waterbus!). But that makes it all the more magical. There is nothing magical about having to get around like this, though.

13 The Rain Never Stops

Like we mentioned, Venice has always been the kind of destination where you should bring your umbrella with you. With all these floods, though, the rain has gone to an entirely new level. Now, umbrellas are clearly a necessity for tourists and locals alike.

12 St. Mark's Is A Shadow Of Its Former Self

When most people come to Venice, the first place they visit is the iconic and legendary St. Mark's Square. As we can see from this photo, the floods have reduced the square to a mere shadow of its former self. It's quite confronting to look at.

11 The Floods Are Eerily Beautiful

As devastating as the floods are, there is something eerily beautiful about pictures like this.  The image of a sinking city is pretty at least, even if it's upsetting and makes us dreadfully concerned for our planet. This picture looks like it has come out of a fairy tale.

10 The Pigeons Have Left The Famous Square

Aside from the striking landmarks that are found there, St. Mark's Square is known for the thousands of pigeons that flock there, much to the delight of the hordes of tourists. But the floods have put a stop to the pigeons--something many people thought was impossible.

9 The Rain Doesn't Stop Everyone

The flooding of Venice does make for a good photo, even if it signifies grave problems with the state of the city (and the planet by extension). We guess these tourists are making the most of a bad situation by enjoying the non-existent crowds.

8 Now You Need Help Just Moving Around The City

This photo shows us the reality of the floods: although they are pretty and keep the crowds away, they also make things incredibly difficult for both locals and visitors. Now, people need help just moving around the famous city so they don't drown.

7 They're The Worst Floods In 50 Years

The 2019 Venetian foods are the worst to have hit the city in half a century, according to D.W. We can see from these severe photos that the situation is bad and the flooding is definitely a cause for concern.

6 Venice Has Become A Ghost Town

When you look at images like this, it's hard to believe that this is the same city that is one of the world's most popular. With these dreary gray waters and so few people walking around, Venice now resembles a ghost town.

5 It's A State Of Emergency

It's clear from these images that the floods aren't just causing a minor inconvenience. They're actually disrupting the lives of the local people and could cause severe ramifications if they continue or get worse. According to the BBC, Itay has declared a state of emergency.

4 The Rialto Bridge Looks Completely Different

We can see from this picture that there are still lots of tourists on the famous Rialto Bridge, even if the area surrounding it is completely flooded. Still, though, the bridge looks completely different. The floods make it seem like a bridge in the middle of a lake.

3 The Weather Is Still Rough

As it stands, the weather is still rough in Venice, so the city isn't out of the woods yet. Photos like this show the surging water that is coursing through the city. It's been made worse by the wind and is making the city dangerous for visitors and locals.

2 Several Tourist Attractions Are Closed

The floods haven't completely stopped all tourists from visiting Venice, but the fact that no one can deny is that now the city is less safe. There are hazards everywhere due to the floods, which means that some attractions and establishments have been closed down.

1 The City Is Less Crowded

Venice is one of the busiest cities on the planet. Only a natural force like a flood could ever stop throngs of people from visiting the Italian gem, which is now in a dire condition. It hasn't stopped everybody, but there are fewer crowds there now than there normally are.