San Marco in Venice: Square, Cathedral and other attractions

The right is considered one of the business cards of Italy. The architectural ensemble of the square creates the Cathedral of San Marco, the columns of St. Mark and St. Theodore, Campanil, the Palace of the Doge, the Clock Tower, the Apostle Library, as well as the old and new prosecution, Alla Napoleton and Loggetta. Because, having arrived in Venice, you will probably go to San Marco, we decided to separately tell about each element of the square so that you feel here at home.

San Marco Square in Venice

Square of St. Mark. Also known not only on their attractions, but also numerous films lifted here and, of course, pigeons. For many years, feeding hand-made pigeons on the square was one of the main tourist attractions of the city, the feed for them was sold here. The tradition was interrupted only in 2008, when, due to the bird flu epidemic, it was decided to suspend the sale of feed.

The first references on the area belong to the IX century

The first information about the area is dating back to the 9th century: then one of the main modern sights of Venice was just a small platform before entering the San Marco Cathedral. And only in the XII century (in 1177), it was expanded to today's sizes.

San Marco Square consists of two parts: Piazzettes (the distance from the Grand Canal to Campanila) and, in fact, the Piazza itself (Square).

Columns of Saints Mark and Theodore - the first thing you see, stepping on a Piazzalet, adjacent to San Marco Square in Venice. In 1125, Venice received them as a trophy after a victorious war against the king of the Tira, which she led in Union with Constantinople.

Although tourists show two columns, in fact, they were originally three. The third column during unloading from the ships fell into the sea and still lies somewhere on the orstive bottom of the lagoon.

Columns of St. Mark and Theodore - the first thing they see tourists, stepping on a pilizing

San Marco Cathedral

San Marco Cathedral is known for its unusual for the Catholic church by Byzantine architecture. Basilica was built in 832 in order to storing the relics of the apostle, but the fact that travelers can see today are, conditionally, the "new" cathedral, which was renovated after the fire that happened in 976. With the general domination of the Byzantine style, various elements of the cathedral are also inherent in the romance, gothic and oriental styles.

Inside the cathedral, not only the relics of the Holy Brand are of interest: the Golden Altar (Pala D'oro), brought from Constantinople, Baptistery, Chapel of St. Isidore, Sacrysty, and, of course, numerous mosaics.

The entrance to the San Marco Cathedral is free, but when visiting should be avoided by causing clothes with open knees and shoulders. Also in the cathedral it is impossible to shoot.

San Marco Cathedral is known for his unusual Byzantine architecture

Clock tower

Orolojo (clock tower) is famous in the first place that her watch shows not only time, and the current zodiac sign and even the phase of the moon. Get past the luxurious blue-green watches and not to pay attention to them simply can not. They are decorated with enamel and gilding, bronze statues and a symbol of Venice - lion with a revealed book. Evalodzho in just a year - construction continued from 1496 to 1497.

Those who wish to visit the tower is worth planning it in advance, since the building of tourists are allowed by groups of 12 people and only 4 times a day. The excursion takes place in three languages: English, French and Italian. Purchase tickets in advance through the Internet are quite possible. To do this .

Ollorogo watch show time, current zodiac sign and moon phase

San Marco Library

In the XVI century, the largest library of Venice was opened at the place of the former Zoo of the guild. Today, its walls are more than 13,000 ancient manuscripts and about 500,000 books, including 2 Iliads of the V and VI centuries.

The library is open every day from 8:00 am until 19:00 pm, except Sunday. On Saturday, the library works from 8:00 to 13:30.

For many centuries its existence, the Palace of the Doge managed to serve both the residence of the Venetian government, and the Senate, and the Supreme Court and the Ministry.

The very first palace of the mayors in this place was built in 810. For a thousand years, the building has repeatedly destroyed, burned, suffered from cataclysms and reges, until finally, in the XVI century did not acquire a modern appearance. Today, the Three-storey Palace of the Doge is the most tourist place in Venice.

Doge's Palace - the most tourist place in Venice

Old and new prosecution

The building of the first prosecution in Venice was built in the XII century, and in the XVI - after a strong fire - he was renovated, giving a modern form.

The main responsibility of the procurators was the management of real estate owned by the state. And the Cathedral of San Marco just entered this group of control, therefore, the place of construction of the prosecution was chosen near the cathedral.

In 1640, in front of the first building (old prosecution), a second prosecution was built. To figure out where old, and where is the new prosecution, focus on the cafe "Florian" - it is on the first floor of a new prosecution.

Cafe "Florian" is located in the building of the new prosecution

It is noteworthy that under Napoleon his residence in Venice was in the new prosecution. Over time, it was decided to build a ballroom here, but because the building was not suitable for these purposes, I had to build another one - Alla Napoleonic.To do this, by order of Napoleon, the Church of San Geminano was demolished. Now this building connects two prosecutions on San Marco Square.

In 1540, San Marco Square in Venice, right near the bell tower, was built instead of a stable. The building resembling a triumphal arch, for centuries changed and appointment: the place of solemn meetings, the guard room of the Palace of the Doge and even the headquarters of the city lottery.

In 1902, the bell tower fell and destroyed the loggen. The building that stands on the square is now - already restored and re-decorated.

Lodgenetta Sansovino

Campanila

The first mentions of Campanile (Bell Tower) are found in the 9th century, but today's appearance is the version of architects of the XVI century. However, this is not the original: as we have already mentioned, in July 1902, the initial design fell.

In order to restore an accurate copy of Campalai, it took 10 years, and the fact that travelers see today on San Marco Square, - Building in 1912.

The 99-Timest Tower of the Bell Tower, where 5 bells, mines and search sites are placed. By the way, in ancient times, each of the bells had its own special purpose. For example, in one of them - "Maranyon" - called, calling the inhabitants to go to work.

The height of the Venetian Campanil - 99 meters

The huge tower was used not only as a bell tower. It was also successfully used as a lighthouse for ships, and sometimes even the gallows.

Calcanil costs - 8 euros; For the excursion group more than 15 people - 4 euros (2016). You can go upstairs both steps and elevator.

Working hours: October: from 9:00 am until 19:00 pm; November-April: 9: 30-15: 45; April-June: 9: 00-19: 00; July-September: 9: 00-21: 00.

How to get to San Marco Square in Venice

As a rule, the starting point for dating Venice is (if you arrive in the city by train) or Piazzale Roma (if you come by bus). In walking distance from both initial points there are stops of Vaporetto's river trams that perform in Venice public transport.

Photo by: Robert Montgomery, Joan Veale, Jerry Stone, Son Of Groucho, Denvilles_Duo, Brownpau, Jonybrarer, Allerleiten.LiveJournal, Michael.portrayingLife.com