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Piazza San Marco (San Marco Square) is located in San Marco district and is flocked by tourists year round. The Piazza San Marco is dominated by 2 of the most important buildings in Venice – The Basilica San Marco and the Doge’s Palace. The square is bordered by the elegant buildings of the Procuratie which houses elegant boutiques and open air cafes on the ground floor.

Torre dell’Orologio is a clock tower on the north side of the piazza. It was built in the 15th century and displays the phases of the moon and the zodiac. During the Ascension week the blue emanel clock has the figures of the Magi appear from the side doors to pay respects to the Virgin and the child.

The Campanile is the bell tower of San Marco Square. The first tower was built in 1173 and was used as a lighthouse to navigate the ships. The tower is 98.5 meters (323 ft) high and rewards the visitors with splendid views over Venice and the lagoon. The tower is topped with golden weather vane. The 5 bells used to have different roles during the Republic - marking the end of the working day or noon, marking an execution or the session of the council. In 1902 the tower suddenly collapsed. It was rebuilt in a decade and opened in 1912.

The main entrance to Venice is marked by 2 columns – The column of San Marco and the column of San Teodoro. They were erected in 1172 by Nicolo Barattieri. He also was the architect of the first Rialto Bridge. The statue of San Teodoro is a copy (the original is kept in the Dodge’s Palace) and the column of San Marco is topped by a winged bronze lion – the Lion of St Mark. The lion was later assumed as the sign of St Mark the Evangelist who is the protector of Venice.

Museo Correr was created by the wealthy merchant Abbot Correr and has an extensive collection of works of Art. Bellini’s Pieta is one of the many masterpieces in the galleries at the museum.


Where is Piazza San Marco – San Marco district

How to get to Piazza San Marco: By vaporetto - San Marco stop


Piazza San Marco, Venice,
view of The Campanile and Basilica di San Marco


Piazza San Marco, Torre dell’Orologio



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