Piazza San Marco Venice

Piazza San Marco Venice

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Piazza San Marco, Venice

Venice is like nowhere else in the world. It is often listed as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with its labyrinth of canals, piazzas and bridges. The very heart of the ‘City of Light’ is the Piazzo San Marco, or St Mark’s Square. This paved public square is brim-full of charming cafés, shops, tourists taking photographs, and pigeons. Enjoy the quiet of the early morning, the bustle of the crowds during the day and the romantic atmosphere after dark.

The Square is presided over by St Mark’s Basilica, and the famous Campanile, which is the tallest structure on the Venetian skyline. The original 8th century structure collapsed in 1902 and was replaced with the replica you see today. The very best views can be seen from the top of the Campanile, right across to the Dolomite Mountains on a clear day.


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The remainder of the Square lives up to its fine reputation with elegant colonnades and delightful cafés. Orchestras play sonorously to set the atmosphere of genteel relaxation. Each hour is struck by the bronze figures of the two Moors on top of the Torre dell’Orologio clock tower nearby.

Other notable buildings around St Mark’s Square include the magnificent Doge’s Palace. Construction took from 1309 to 1424 and whilst one side overlooks the Venetian Lagoon, the other faces onto St Mark’s Square. The arched colonnades and contrasting colors make this a striking building with its ornate detail on the carved marble façade. It now houses an interesting museum, including paintings by Tintoretto.

The three huge buildings connected to St Mark’s Clock tower are known as the ‘Procuratie’. They were built as the offices and homes of the procurators. Begun in 1586 by Vincenzo Scamozzi they were finally completed under Napoleon’s rule. He then converted the Procuratie Nuove into his royal palace which was completed in 1810. The ground floor houses several cafés including the famous Caffé Florian and the Caffé Quadri.

Our Articles about Venice Italy. see here below:
Venice Italy Videos
Venice Italy Pictures
Piazza San Marco
Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore
Venice Italy

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