Piazza San Marco, Principal square in Venice, Italy
Piazza San Marco is a rectangular square in Venice that extends 175 meters and is surrounded by arcaded walkways on three sides. The pavement consists of white stone with geometric patterns that stretch across the entire surface.
The square began in the ninth century as a small space in front of a chapel and was expanded to its current size in the twelfth century. Over the centuries, the surrounding buildings were rebuilt several times to serve administrative and ceremonial purposes.
Visitors see buildings from different centuries that still serve as museums and event venues today. Local cafés along the arcades often play classical music and are visited by tourists and locals alike.
Wooden walkways are set up during high water so that pedestrians can cross the square with dry feet. The best time to visit is early morning, when fewer people are around and the light is softer.
The two granite columns at the entrance marked the spot where public executions took place until the eighteenth century. Some locals still avoid walking between them, as this is considered to bring bad luck.
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St Mark's Basilica
143 m
Bridge of Sighs
224 m
St Mark's Campanile
80 m
Horses of Saint Mark
118 m
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana
118 m
Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs
137 m
Doge's Palace
184 m
St Mark's Clocktower
106 m
Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro
153 m
St Mark's Clock
97 m
Museo Archeologico Nazionale, Venice
60 m
Loggetta
91 m
Treasury of San Marco
143 m
Doge's Palace
192 m
San Basso
152 m
Chiesa di San Teodoro
213 m
Porta della Carta
147 m
Palazzo Patriarcale
181 m
Museo dell'Opera
200 m
Museo Correr Library
77 m
Negozio Olivetti
40 m
National Archeological Museum
60 m
Sala del Maggior Consiglio - Palazzo Ducale
195 m
Column of San Marco
165 m
Ponte del Cavalletto
64 m
Ponte Compagnia della Vela
130 m
Ponte dei Dai
58 m
Lion of Venice, Piazzetta San Marco
166 mReal people, real opinions — but not verified.
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Choose the time of your visit wisely to make the most of the atmosphere in the square, and why not visit Café Florian?
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