One of the most ancient churches of Venice, a Byzantine basilica established in the year 639, counts among the 60 churches damaged in three exceptional floods last week, officials said Tuesday. The ancient Santa Maria Assunta Basilica, and the adjacent Santa Maria Fosca church, were 'abundantly flooded' three times last week. The lagoon salt water seeped into mosaic floors and the marble columns, said Alessandro Polet, a spokesman for the ...