What is Happening To The Paving Stones of Venice?

Venetians are becoming concerned that the ancient stones that pave calles and campi are becoming endangered species, and this is changing the character of the historic center. According to an article in today's Gazzettino, these stones, called "masegni", are increasingly being replaced by machine-milled new stones. "It used to be that you'd see a replacement here and there", says the article, "but now whole campi are being refit with the new stones every time workers open up the street for any reason".

What's happening to these venerable paving stones? There is a black market for them, believe it or not. There was a case a few years ago where workers sold the stones at a good price to a private individual who used them in his villa. Whether the stonenappers are at it again remains to be seen.