Piazza San Marco in Venice (Italy) is listed in all guidebooks for tourists visiting the region. It is rightfully the main one in the city. Another in the vicinity cannot be compared with it either in size or in the historical, cultural, and architectural sights presented there. Residents of the city are only accustomed to calling it Piazza (square - translated from Italian). All other similar places in Venice they call campo (field) or campiello (small field).
San Marco - the main square of Venice
It is customary to divide its territory into two sections. Piazza is the main and largest part of it. Piazzetta - a plot overlooking the embankment. We can say that this is the gate from the sea. It is they who are first seen by tourists arriving in Venice by water. At the entrance, two majestic marble columns with symbolic sculptures at the top immediately come into view.
San Marco is a square shaped like a trapezoid. Its length is 175 m, the minimum width is 56 m, and the maximum width is 82 m. Earlier, during the period of its formation (IX century), it was much smaller. Only a small area opposite St. Mark's Cathedral was mentioned. Just at that time, the relics of the saint arrived in Venice. The cathedral was erected in his honor, and he also began to patronize the city. Over time, the shrine was rebuilt and expanded, adding new decorations and architectural details to the already majestic structure.
History
The place has acquired special importance and significance since 829, when the relics of the Apostle Mark, taken by merchants from Alexandria, were buried in the built basilica. Since then, San Marco, the square in front of the religious shrine, has also become an important place of pilgrimage. It was paved with masonry in 1267.
Next to the cathedral, a majestic bell tower was erected for several centuries, which was completed only in the 16th century. Back in 1177, Pope Alexander III and Emperor Barbarossa reconciled on this square. It traditionally hosted important ceremonial processions, tournaments and symbolic bull hunts. On the square after taking the oath, the Venetians carried the great doges who entered into rights and sat on the throne.
The organizers felt that the territory of the ceremonial place was insufficient and in 1777 it was expanded to the current size. Since 1807, the rebuilt St. Mark's Cathedral has become a cathedral. In 1902, the famous bell tower (Campanile) collapsed on the square. But the majestic building has been restored to its originalseen a decade later.
Attractions
What else is Venice famous for? San Marco is one of the six districts of the city. It is considered the heart of the city and is known, among other things, for the famous square of the same name. Doge's Palace occupies the dominant place on it. He survived the destruction and fires. At different times, the Senate, the Great Council, judges and even the secret police met in the majestic building. But, above all, it was the main residence of the Doges of the Republic.
Besides the aforementioned red brick bell tower, which rises almost 99 meters and is used as a beacon for ships at night, the not so high, but no less famous clock tower as part of the surrounding architectural complex pleases the eye. It is adjacent to the facade of the Old Procurations. Of interest is the building richly decorated with statues and bas-reliefs at the base of the Campanile - Logetta, originally designed as a building for meeting the nobles arriving in the city. Not to mention the exquisite two-tier facade of the National Library of San Marco. The area, according to experts, is the clearest example of medieval architectural architecture.
Modernity
There is an opinion that Piazza San Marco in Venice, together with the city, is gradually sinking under water. It is possible that in the coming decades the surrounding area will become uninhabitable due to rising sea levels. But now all the attractions are open to tourists. In a palaceDoge operates a unique museum.
It is difficult to say what is the greater attraction of the building - the exterior or its interior. Among the exhibits of the museum are the richest collections, trophies, maps, historical documents. You can buy souvenirs for every taste, view the majestic panorama from the observation deck at the chapel or basilica.
San Marco - Pigeon Square
Why does everyone who has been to Venice say so? There is a legend about a pair of birds once presented to the Doge on the occasion of his coronation. Released from the cage, they sat down on the consecrated arch of the newly built basilica. This was considered a good omen, so doves were subsequently released on the occasion of Palm Sunday. The tradition led to the fact that the birds did not fly far, but settled in the area. They were safe in the square, fed constantly.
The authorities had to solve the problem of cleaning the sights from the waste products of pigeons. Their droppings did not allow tourists to fully appreciate the majestic beauty of historical and cultural attractions. On numerous arches and cornices, structures had to be installed to distract the birds. There were periods when restrictions were even introduced on the sale of bird food in the area.
Reviews of tourists
Practically everyone who was able to admire the grandeur of San Marco, noted the incredible concentration of masterpieces per unit area. An indelible impression is also made by the spaciousness of the square, which is especially felt after leaving the cramped streets of Venice. It strikeslack of cars, and embankments with boats instead of roads are surprising.
Practically everyone agrees on one thing - the place is so unique that it can not be described in words. These masterpieces must be seen. And it is simply impossible to consider everything at once. Therefore, those who have been to San Marco are eager to see the majestic square again. And those who have only heard about it dream of seeing everything with their own eyes.
