The entrance to the square from the marine side leads between two columns located on Piazetta, the small square between the Doge’s Palace and Sansovinian Library. On the columns there are the sculptures of lion symbol of St.Mark and St.Teodoro killing the dragon.
St. Teodoro was the first Patron saint of Venice to be replaced by St.Mark, who’s relics came to the city in 828.
The eastern wing of the square is closed by the monumental building of Basilica San Marco. The large Gothic ceremonial gallery encompasses the upper part of the cathedral.
The gallery, once reserved for members of Venetian Government and their guests, today is opened for the visitors, who can get close to the famous bronze horses above the main entrance.
Another panoramic view awaits for the visitors, who dare to climb the steps of Campanile belfry located just opposite the main entrance to the Basilica. Well, the ordinary tourists can get use of the elevator to the top, near the famous five bells of the Serenissima.
The growth of Republic’s power brought the increase in number of state members and new occupations, who gradually filled the new buildings located around the square.
The First wing – Procuratie Vechhie has been finished by the end of 12th century and hold various offices of procurators, second in the power only to the doge.
Build in 16th Procuratie Nouve included also the procurators apartments, who not very willingly had to move there from their splendour residences.
The small period of Napoleon’s occupation left the last wing enclosing optically the square, called Ala Napoleonica, and the Royal Gardens on the side of the Lagune.
The rooms located on the ground floor of Procuratie served once as bars, cafes or even the gambling places casini, and gradually evolved from the small rooms quite often without the windows, into the chain of cafes and restaurants, which today put their garden tables all around the square.
Two places there feature the longest tradition: Caffè Florian, once visited by famous figures, including Dickens and Byron, and favourited once by Austrian troops Quadri’s cafè.
Another ‘must see’ cafè – Harry’s Bar is located just several minutes outside of the square, at the back of the former theatre Ridotto.
Guides: venice
