St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square

St. Mark's Square (Piazza San Marco) is the central square of Venice, Italy, and is hailed as the most romantic square, with pigeons being its main highlight. In Venice, St. Mark's Square is the only square known as a “Piazza,” while all other squares, big or small, are called “Camp.”

St. Mark's Square is unique among the squares of European cities. Situated in the city center, it remains free from the noise of traffic — a benefit of Venice’s tranquil waterways. As a landmark of Venice, St. Mark's Square is especially favored by tourists, photographers, and pigeons. In the 19th century, French Emperor Napoleon praised it as “the finest drawing room in Europe.” The square is a rectangular piazza enclosed by the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, St. Mark's Campanile, the Procuratie Nuove and Vecchie (New and Old Procuratie), the Napoleonic Wing connecting the two buildings, the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica, and the Biblioteca Marciana (St. Mark's Library), along with the Grand Canal of Venice. It stretches approximately 170 meters in length, about 80 meters wide on the eastern side, and around 55 meters wide on the western side. The surrounding architecture consists of exquisite buildings from the Renaissance period.

Many cafés surround St. Mark's Square, with tables and chairs set up outdoors in front of the Procuratie Nuove and Vecchie, making it a great spot for visitors to dine, enjoy coffee, and listen to music. Additionally, feeding the pigeons is a popular activity here, with around ten thousand pigeons inhabiting the area. Unfortunately, pigeon droppings have stained the facades of the buildings, and the birds have also pecked at sculptures and architectural details, leaving them pockmarked.

Piazza San Marco

Must-visit reason: Italy’s most romantic square

Continent where the attraction is located: Europe【Europe】

Country/Region where the attraction is located: Italy[Italy]

Province/State where the attraction is located: Veneto Region [Veneto Region]

City where the attraction is located: Venice [Venice]