This is a typical Venetian locality: houses built around paved squares called campi, with a well at the centre (right). Because water harvesting was at the centre of the city's life; there isn't a clear number, but Venice would have an estimated 4,000 wells. None of the wells have pulleys, probably because the water table was quite shallow. The slope is against the well, and the courtyards are marked by white stone stripes, indicating the path runoff took on its way to the seepage holes. It would have taken something to keep seawater at bay. Because right behind this locality runs the network of canals (below). Sadly, all sewage is let into the canals now. At the time of the annual dredging exercise, it stinks to high heaven.