St Mark’s Square

©Matthias Süßen CC BY-SA 4.0. <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.fr>via Wikipedia Commons

St Mark's Square

A central stop on the Venice audio-guided tour, St Mark's Square is the only large square in the city and, in a way, its heart. Its construction began in the ninth century and its definitive appearance was only completed in 1177.

The centre of the city of the doges

One hundred and eighty metres long and seventy wide, the square had its pavement laid a century after the completion of its dimensions. While it is today of mainly historical, architectural and touristic interest, it was the political, religious and administrative centre of the city.

What to see

In every season, millions of visitors converge on the Piazza to marvel at its emblematic buildings: the majestic St Mark's Basilica, the prestigious Doge's Palace, the campanile and the Clock Tower. This succession of feats makes St Mark's Square one of the most beautiful in the world.

Practical information

St Mark's Square is in the heart of Venice, reached on foot or by vaporetto. Freely accessible, it can be discovered at any time; it may be affected by high waters depending on the season.