Advantages Some fantastic historical buildings.
Disadvantages The crowds, queues and prices.
I would be absolutely amazed if anyone who visits Venice does not end up in the Piazza San Marco at some point during your visit to Venice. The Piazza is the heart of the city where most of the main tourist and important sites can be found. The Doges Palace, The Basilica San Marco, The Campanile San Marco, The Torre Dell’ Orologio are all found here at the square. So many historical and beautiful buildings surrounding the square make it The place to visit if you like. If you are arriving in the city from the International airport of San Marco the Alilaguna boat will probably drop you off near the Piazza just in front of the Doges Palace. Most of the water buses depart from here too.

At the Eastern end of St Mark’s Square you will find the Basilica San Marco, the Doges Palace, San Marco campanile and the Astrological clock. Some of these buildings have been here since the early 800’s AD. At different stages throughout the centuries these buildings have been added to and improved especially as Venice became a major maritime Republic and an important trading centre. The Square was used for grand parades of both church and government not only that market traders plied their wares in the square. At the Eastern end of the square there is a smaller square to the left of the Basilica and the area in to the front of the Doges Palace is a smaller Piazzetta leading to the lagoon and waterfront promenade passing the two winged lions on high pillars.
The square is surrounded on three sides by imposing buildings built in the 16th Century housing shops and cafes in a colonnaded walkway above which are offices and homes that originally housed important government officials and important figures from San Marco. The pavement was originally built in the 12th century using bricks that were placed in herringbone fashion but due to the Aqua Alta (High tides from the Adriatic) and regular flooding the pavement was raised by one meter with improved drainage. The pavement was redesigned in the 14th Century and a pattern of squares of white Istrian stone was built into the brickwork which is thought to mark out places for the traders to set up their stalls.St. Marks square is still the place to head for if you wish to visit the Basilica and the Doges palace. The square is full of historical buildings and interesting buildings you could spend a couple of days here exploring all it has to offer. However as most people visiting Venice are likely only to be there for a couple of days there is a lot to pack in if you wish to see more of Venice. During the day time the square is full of tourists who flock here to these great buildings.
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chrisandmark_is_here 27/01/2013 17:06
Deesrev 18/09/2012 11:22
sich=such and stine=stone!!!!
Deesrev 18/09/2012 11:20
This really is 'The place to visit' for me! Some of the things that make this sich a wonderful place to see is the comments you make about certain things like the ornate stine pavements that were constructed all those centuries ago, and even with changes due to weather etc., the City still has such wonderful structures 'full of historical buildings' that can still be seen all these years later. The cost for food and drink is crazy, stroll on i'd lose these extra pounds in no time!!! Thank you for transporting me 'Scotty' to this wonderful place in my imagination. Such a lovely review and with those amazing pics too. E from me for this diamond worthy review :~) xXx
karalouk 05/09/2012 10:16
great read and pics, E!
sarahbarrow 01/09/2012 06:53
E x
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