Considered to be the “Living Room” of Venice, the Piazza San Marco, which is elegant, spacious, harmonious, and historic, has fulfilled many purposes over the centuries. In the 9th century, the piazza consisted of a small space in front of Basilica San Marco. Then, in 1177 the Rio Batario with a private dock used only by the Doge, was filled, in preparation for a meeting between Pope Alexander III and Emperor Frederick Barbarossa. The new configuration of the enclosed space became suitable for processionals, the route of these weaving the sacred and the profane through the symbolism of the surrounding architecture. The columns of the Palazzo Ducale, the sculptures on the Librarie Sansoviniana across from it, and the doorways of the basilica all played roles in the various celebrations which were staged here. It is the only official piazza in all of Venice. The adjoining smaller space between the Basilica San Marco and the shoreline of the lagoon is called the “Piazzetta”. The architectural anchors of these enclosed spaces include the resplendent domed  Basilica San Marco, with gold mosaic arches and spires, the Campanile, a tall bell tower made of brick and stone, the Palazzo Ducale with its exuberant gothic windows and pink and white patterned walls, and the the white marble Torre dell’Orologio with bronze bell, golden clocks, and astrological symbols in lapis blue patterns. Enclosing the piazza are white marble buildings, the Procuratie Vecchie and the Procuratie Nuove (old and new treasury houses, respectively), with arcades housing restaurants, cafés and shops. Venetians, tourists and pigeons all flock to the Piazza San Marco, a meeting place for anyone longing to feel free. On Sundays, the locals attend church, promenade, and stop for a drink here as bells peal the hours. Everyday, music wafts all afternoon until midnight, with musicians on bandstands at the various cafés, each competing for attention and drawing their fair share of admiring crowds and customers. Children can be seen skipping and cavorting, teenagers can be glimpsed playing games, and adults can be observed spontaneously grabbing a partner then dancing to the music. Pigeons, always in the mood for food, flock to tourists who offer bread, being captured inadvertently in photos on the arms, shoulders, or head of their hosts. Piazza San Marco is a beautiful place to be, and is a crossing point to the various sites around the city. It is truly a place that is forever memorable, one that “lightens” one’s life!

PHOTOS: Top Five - Piazza San Marco, Day:  Upper Left: View across Piazza San Marco from Florian, behind the bandstand and waiter. Lower Left: Diagonal view across Piazza San Marco. Center: View of Piazza San Marco from Basilica San Marco. Upper Right: Looking east to the Basilica San Marco. Lower Right: View of the Basilica San Marco partially obscured by the Campanile, from the Piazza San Marco.

Bottom Five - Piazza San Marco, Night: Upper Left: Basilica San Marco. Lower Left:  View from Florian’s tables in the piazza looking toward the buildings of the Procuratie Vecchie. Center: Capturing the lights of the Procuratie Nuovo, the Campanile tower and some of the ornaments of the Basilica San Marco.  Upper Right: Florian café, with a silver tray on foreground, the bandstand, background. Lower Right: The band at Florian, around midnight.

JOURDAN ARPELLE-ZIEGLER                                           BACK TO MAP PAGE