Piazza San Marco
The only square in Venice called a piazza, ringed by arcades and opening onto the lagoon.
Napoleon is said to have called it the finest drawing room in Europe. On three sides the long arcaded Procuratie, once the offices of the procurators of Saint Mark, close it off; on the fourth rise the basilica and the bell tower.
When the tide is high the square is the first place to flood, as water rises through the drains. Its cafés, such as the Florian from 1720, have orchestras playing outside.
More in Venice
St Mark’s BasilicaBuilt for the relics of Saint Mark, covered inside with golden mosaics.
Doge’s PalaceThe pink and white Gothic palace from which the doges ruled the Republic of Venice.
Campanile di San MarcoThe bell tower of St Mark’s, which fell down in 1902 and was rebuilt “where it was, as it was”.
Bridge of SighsThe covered stone bridge between the Doge’s Palace and the prisons, built in 1600.
Rialto BridgeThe stone bridge of 1591 over the Grand Canal, with shops along its arch.
Grand CanalThe great S-shaped waterway through the middle of Venice, lined with palaces.
MercerieThe chain of narrow shopping lanes from St Mark’s to the Rialto, the race route in the game.
La FeniceVenice’s opera house, which has risen from its ashes more than once, as its name promises.
GondolaThe long black boat of Venice, rowed standing up with a single oar.
VaporettoThe water bus of Venice, chugging up and down the Grand Canal from stop to stop.
CarnivalTwo weeks of masks and costumes before Lent, filling the squares of Venice.
Acqua altaThe high tides that flood St Mark’s Square, now held back by the MOSE barriers.