(CNN) The European Space Agency has released two images of Venice, taken one year apart, which highlight the impact the coronavirus pandemic has had on its famous waterways.

The images, one taken on April 13 and the other on April 19, 2019, show how dramatically the number of boats within the Italian city's main thoroughfare has reduced since the Covid-19 crisis began.

Venice, situated in northeastern Italy in an enclosed bay in the Adriatic Sea, is famed for its network of waterways.

But since Italy announced a lockdown on March 8 , the city -- usually packed with tourists -- has been almost empty.

The images show that this has had a knock on effect on traffic in the city.