Worst Venice flooding in
20 years

VENICE, Italy (CNN) - Venice, Italy is a city that was built on water, so flooding isn't exactly a foreign concept. But right now, that water is reaching historic heights.

The city's famous St. Mark's Square flooded Monday as water reached 61 inches, its highest level in more than 20 years.

The water rose so high and so quickly, Venice workers weren't even able to install the raised wooden walkways typically used during flooding.

People could be seen raising their pant legs and wearing rubber boots as they tried to get around the flooded streets.

Water levels even forced many of the city's water taxis to take the day off.

But later in the day, a change in wind direction prompted a drop in water levels.