Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square), Venice

A short history

Every square in Venice is a campo — a "field", from the grass that once grew there — except one: the piazza of San Marco. From the 9th century it was the republic's political and religious centre, home to the basilica and the doge's palace, where ambassadors landed and processions passed.

Its present form dates from the 12th to the 19th centuries. The long Procuratie Vecchie and Nuove — endless arcades where the procurators, the republic's top officials, lived and worked — line its sides, and the Napoleonic Wing closes the west end; Napoleon is said to have called it "the finest drawing room in Europe". Today the arcades hold cafés, shops and the Museo Correr.

What's around the square

At the east end stands St Mark's Basilica, with the brick Campanile beside it and a lift to its viewing deck. On the north side is the Clock Tower of 1496–1499, with a blue zodiac dial and two bronze Moors striking the bell on top.

Towards the water the square opens into the Piazzetta between the Doge's Palace and the Marciana Library. By the lagoon rise two granite columns topped by the winged lion of St Mark and St Theodore, Venice's first patron, framing views of San Giorgio Maggiore and the domes of the Salute.

What to see

• St Mark's Basilica — mosaic façade and bronze horses.
• The Campanile — the bell tower with a view.
• The Clock Tower — zodiac dial and the Moors on top.
• The procuratie — arcades with cafés and the Museo Correr.
• Piazzetta columns — St Mark's lion and St Theodore.
• The lagoon view — San Giorgio Maggiore opposite.

The square at high water

St Mark's is one of the lowest points in Venice, so during acqua alta, mostly in autumn and winter, it floods first. Raised wooden walkways go up, and visitors buy plastic overshoes sold on every corner. Since 2020 the MOSE barriers at the lagoon inlets have reduced major floods, but shallow water on the square still happens. Even on a rainy day, the arcades and basilica reflected in the wet stone make it look like a stage.

Is Piazza San Marco worth it?

Of course — it's Venice's main square and the start of nearly every route. It's packed by day, so come at dawn, when it's almost empty and blushes with the sky, or late in the evening when café orchestras play under lit arcades. The square takes half an hour, but with the basilica, Doge's Palace and Campanile around it, plan a whole day.

Walks in Venice: compare and choose

Squares, bridges and neighbourhoods in Venice rated by YesGo. Click a column header to sort.

Nearby and on the way

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St Mark's Campanile

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Gondola ride

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St Mark's Basilica

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How to do it right

• Nearly empty at dawn.
• Café orchestras in the evening.
• No sitting on the steps.
• Wellies at high water.

Questions