Neighborhood
Piazza San Marco
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Piazza San Marco is the principal public square of Venice, often called 'the Square.' It is dominated by St Mark's Basilica at its eastern end and includes the adjoining Piazzetta, which connects to the lagoon. Together, they form the social, religious, and political heart of the city.
Don't miss
- St Mark's Basilica with its western façade of great arches, marble decoration, and Romanesque carvings around the central doorway
- The four horses above the basilica's entrance, symbols of Venetian pride, taken by Napoleon to Paris and later returned
- St Mark's Clocktower (Torre dell'Orologio), completed in 1499, above a high archway leading to the Merceria shopping street
- The Procuratie Vecchie and Procuratie Nuove, long arcades lining the north and south sides of the piazza, housing shops and historic cafés like Caffè Quadri and Caffè Florian
- St Mark's Campanile, rebuilt in 1912 after its 1902 collapse, with the Loggetta del Sansovino at its base
- The two granite columns in the Piazzetta, topped by a winged lion (symbol of St Mark) and a statue of St Theodore
Tickets & tours
Ways to visit Piazza San Marco
You can usually visit on your own. A tour is worth it for transport, a guide, or combining nearby sights into one day.
Cheapest way inSt. Mark's Basilica: Golden Cathedral Priority Visit (Refundable)4.5★ · 480 travelers1-2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$14 per personSee dates →
Most bookedLegendary Venice: Doge's Palace, St Mark's & VIP Terrace Access4.7★ · 5,690 travelers2-3 hoursFrom$83 per personSee dates →
Private & flexibleVenice: Photoshoot at Piazza San Marco and the Canals4.8★ · 72 travelers~1 hourFree cancellationFrom$80 per personSee dates →Know before you go
- During high water (acqua alta), get a map from tourist offices at the railway station or St Mark's Square showing dry routes and walkways. A tide reading board is at the base of the Campanile.
- The last part of your journey to the square will be on foot from a waterbus or watertaxi jetty. Avoid hard suitcase wheels on cobblestones and marble steps.
A bit of history
The square's history spans over a millennium. The first patron saint was St Theodore, but in 828–829 relics of St Mark were brought from Alexandria, leading to the construction of the first St Mark's Basilica. Napoleon later called the square 'the drawing room of Europe.'
Common questions
What is the Piazzetta?
The Piazzetta is an extension of the Piazza towards the lagoon, lying between the Doge's Palace and the Biblioteca Marciana. It connects the square to the water.
What are the two columns in the Piazzetta?
They are large granite columns carrying symbols of Venice's patron saints: a winged lion (St Mark) and a statue of St Theodore with a crocodile. They were erected around 1268 and once framed the entry from the sea.
What happened to the campanile?
The original campanile collapsed on 14 July 1902 and was rebuilt in 1912 'as it was, where it was.'
Why are there four horses above the basilica?
The four horses are ancient symbols of Venetian pride and power. Napoleon took them to Paris after conquering Venice, but they were later returned.
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