San Marco Basin Tour
Boat tour to San Marco
Boat tour to San Marco
The journey begins with a breathtaking view of Piazza San Marco, the symbol of Venice. It is the only square in Venice—every other square-like area is called a “campo.” Known as the “Drawing Room of Europe,” no boat tour of Venice would be complete without passing through one of the world’s most prestigious squares!
Piazza San Marco, originally an orchard crossed by small canals called “rii,” is bordered by the Old and New Procuratie, the Napoleonic Wing, and the façade of St. Mark’s Basilica.
The first church dedicated to St. Mark was built next to the Doge’s Palace in 828 to house the relics of Saint Mark. Over the centuries, it was constructed and reconstructed multiple times, often due to devastating fires.
In Piazza San Marco, you’ll also find the Clock Tower (completed in 1499) and the Campanile, which Venetians affectionately call “El paron de casa” (the master of the house). Initially, the St. Mark’s Campanile was a watchtower and a lighthouse. After collapsing in 1902, it was reconstructed “as it was, where it was.”
Standing 98.6 meters tall, it is one of the highest bell towers in Italy. During Carnival, it is the starting point for the famous Flight of the Columbina or Angel.
The Piazzetta San Marco is the portion of the square in front of the Doge’s Palace. This Gothic Venetian masterpiece was the residence of the Doge and is another iconic symbol of the city.
Piazzetta San Marco opens onto the lagoon and features the Column of St. Mark and the Column of St. Theodore (current and former patron saints of the city). It is thought that the two columns originally stood closer to the shore, which was later expanded.
Adjacent to the Basilica is Piazzetta dei Leoncini, named after the statues of two crouching lions that mark its elevated area.