Europe has plenty of ordinary public squares but none compare to Piazza San Marco. One could spend their entire vacation taking in the many sights. There are a dozen fantastic things to see, including the Basilica di San Marco.
Many visitors are attracted to the site just for the opportunity to stand in the ancient square. They flock from all over just to see the sights of the Basilica, the Campanile, the Doge’s Palace and more. What’s more, there is no traffic or noise to bother them; unlike many other public squares in Europe.
The piazza started as a mere open space outside the now-replaced church some time in the 9th century. It was enlarged and reshaped into its now three-sided area by the latter half of the 12th century. It then rapidly became the place where the rich, poor, grand and humble alike met and mingled. The square housed all of the very important offices of the Republic 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.
Nearby is the Bridge of Sighs, which led to a 1600-era prison. It gained its present name from the poet Lord Byron in the 19th century. The thought was that prisoners would utter a sigh as they were led into the Doge’s prison after seeing the loveliness of Venice for the last time. Also, as legend has it, two lovers who kiss under the bridge in a gondola at sunset will enjoy love everlasting.
The Campanile is another sight that’s a must see in the square. This is the bell tower of St. Mark’s. The current Campanile di San Marco was finished in 1912. It was designed as a replica of a structure that stood earlier but collapsed ten years prior. That structure had stood for almost 500 years. The structure acted as both a bell tower for the cathedral as well as a military watchtower from the 10th century. The bell tower alone makes a visit to the square worth your while. You’ll love how the roof catches the Venice summer sun and 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.