Framed by domes, arcades and the shimmer of the lagoon, St Mark’s Square (Piazza San Marco) is the most famous square in Venice and one of the most celebrated urban spaces in Europe. Often called the heart of Venice, it is the only open space in the city officially given the title “piazza”, while all the others are simply “campi”. For centuries, processions, proclamations, markets and festivals have unfolded on these stones, while the façades of St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile, the Procuratie and the Clock Tower watched silently over the crowds. Napoleon is said to have described Piazza San Marco as the drawing room of Europe, capturing how the square functioned as Venice’s grand reception hall. Today, St Mark’s Square is still the focal point of any visit to Venice. At its eastern end rises the glittering Basilica, while to the south the square opens into the lagoon via the Piazzetta, flanked by the Doge’s Palace and Biblioteca Marciana. On its long sides, the rhythm of arches and windows of the Procuratie Vecchie and Procuratie Nuove, joined by the Ala Napoleonica, create an elegant architectural frame. Cafés like Florian and Quadri spill out under the arcades, Read more [...]