Loggetta, Renaissance loggia at St Mark's Square, Venice, Italy
The Loggetta is a small white marble loggia with three arched openings and paired Corinthian columns, standing at the base of the Campanile in St Mark's Square in Venice. Its facade is covered with bronze statues, carved relief panels, and decorative stonework across every surface.
The Loggetta was designed by architect Jacopo Sansovino in the 1530s, replacing an older and simpler structure that had stood in the same spot. When the Campanile collapsed in 1902, it was buried under the rubble, then carefully rebuilt using the recovered original pieces by 1912.
Four bronze statues on the facade represent goddesses chosen to embody the power and wealth of the Venetian republic. The relief panels between the arches show islands and sea gods, reflecting the city's long connection to the sea.
The best view of the facade comes from standing a few steps back in the square, where the whole structure can be seen at once without anything blocking the view. The exterior is always visible as part of the open square, though the interior is not always accessible to visitors.
During the 18th century, lottery results were announced from this spot, drawing crowds of people hoping to hear a winning number called out. It also served as a guardhouse for city watchmen during sessions of the Great Council in the Doge's Palace next door.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
