If there's one thing Europe has an abundance of, it's ordinary public squares. But few of them compare to Piazza San Marco. You could spend an entire vacation taking in all the wonderful sites St. Mark's has to offer. There are a dozen things to see but the Basilica di San Marco is one of the most fascinating.
Many visitors are attracted just for the chance to stand in the ancient square to see the sights of the Basilica, the Campanile, the Doge's Palace and much more. Plus, there is no traffic or auto noise to mar the experience, which is unique to many public squares in Europe.
The piazza started out in the 9th century as nothing more than an open space outside of a church that has now been replaced. It was enlarged and reshaped into its current three sided area by the latter half of the 12 century and rapidly became a meeting place of the rich, poor, grand as well as humble. The all important offices of the Republic were located here and it was also where all the major festivals were held.
One of the most beautiful sights to see is Doge's Palace, or the Palazzo Ducale di Venzia, which, as the name suggests, was the palace of the Doge of Venice. The Doge was the head of Venice's government. Constructed in the 14th century, the palace included several important features. These include a series of arches on the first floor, along with heavier sections on top. It now acts as a museum where you can view paintings by Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto and many other famous artists of that period.
Close to the square also stands the Bridge of Sighs, which led to a prison in the 1600s. Its current name comes from the poet Lord Byron in the 19th century. The bridge's name was invoked by the thought that prisoners being led to the prison would sigh as they caught a last glimpse of beautiful Venice before entering the Doge's prison. As legend has it, two lovers who kiss at sunset in a gondola under the bridge will enjoy everlasting love.
The bell tower of St. Mark's, or the Campanile, is another sight in the square worth seeing. The present day Campanile di San Marco was finished in the year 1912 and was designed as an exact replica of a tower that collapsed ten years earlier. That structure had stood for nearly 500 years and acted as both a bell tower for the cathedral as well as a military watchtower from the 10th century. This tower alone makes a visit to the Piazza worthwhile. It's breathtaking to watch the roof catch the warm Venice summer sun as it cascades it across the entire square.
The Moors' Clock Tower, or the Torre dell'Orologio, is another fantastic sight in Piazza San Marco. The construction on the tower was completed in the year 1499. However, it does much more than tell time for the local citizens. The clock tower adds immensely to the beauty of the square. It has five bays and two grand bronze figures and remains one of Venice's most glorious public works. The clock also contains a series of dials that tell the time, the zodiac sign as well as the places of the sun and the moon.
Visitors who come to see all that there is to see in the square are also thankful for the Caf Florian, which is very near the square. The coffee they've been serving visitors and locals alike since 1720 provides just the energy you need to see all that St. Mark's has to offer. - 15359
Many visitors are attracted just for the chance to stand in the ancient square to see the sights of the Basilica, the Campanile, the Doge's Palace and much more. Plus, there is no traffic or auto noise to mar the experience, which is unique to many public squares in Europe.
The piazza started out in the 9th century as nothing more than an open space outside of a church that has now been replaced. It was enlarged and reshaped into its current three sided area by the latter half of the 12 century and rapidly became a meeting place of the rich, poor, grand as well as humble. The all important offices of the Republic were located here and it was also where all the major festivals were held.
One of the most beautiful sights to see is Doge's Palace, or the Palazzo Ducale di Venzia, which, as the name suggests, was the palace of the Doge of Venice. The Doge was the head of Venice's government. Constructed in the 14th century, the palace included several important features. These include a series of arches on the first floor, along with heavier sections on top. It now acts as a museum where you can view paintings by Titian, Veronese, Tintoretto and many other famous artists of that period.
Close to the square also stands the Bridge of Sighs, which led to a prison in the 1600s. Its current name comes from the poet Lord Byron in the 19th century. The bridge's name was invoked by the thought that prisoners being led to the prison would sigh as they caught a last glimpse of beautiful Venice before entering the Doge's prison. As legend has it, two lovers who kiss at sunset in a gondola under the bridge will enjoy everlasting love.
The bell tower of St. Mark's, or the Campanile, is another sight in the square worth seeing. The present day Campanile di San Marco was finished in the year 1912 and was designed as an exact replica of a tower that collapsed ten years earlier. That structure had stood for nearly 500 years and acted as both a bell tower for the cathedral as well as a military watchtower from the 10th century. This tower alone makes a visit to the Piazza worthwhile. It's breathtaking to watch the roof catch the warm Venice summer sun as it cascades it across the entire square.
The Moors' Clock Tower, or the Torre dell'Orologio, is another fantastic sight in Piazza San Marco. The construction on the tower was completed in the year 1499. However, it does much more than tell time for the local citizens. The clock tower adds immensely to the beauty of the square. It has five bays and two grand bronze figures and remains one of Venice's most glorious public works. The clock also contains a series of dials that tell the time, the zodiac sign as well as the places of the sun and the moon.
Visitors who come to see all that there is to see in the square are also thankful for the Caf Florian, which is very near the square. The coffee they've been serving visitors and locals alike since 1720 provides just the energy you need to see all that St. Mark's has to offer. - 15359
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