Cheap Hotels in Venice

Piazza San Marco Venice

The Piazza San Marco is most commonly known, as St Mark`s Square. This Venetian landmark dates back as far as the 9th century. The Piazza started as a small area directly in front of St Mark`s original Basilica.

In the year 1177 the square was enlarged, and reshaped as we see today. A decision had been taken, to fill in the dock and Rio Batario, which ran to the west of the square.

This work would coincide with the visit of Emperor Frederick Barbarossa and Pope Alexander III to the Venetian city. After the visit, the square became a centre and focal point, for the people of Venice. Offices of state surrounded the square, and it also became the seat of the Archbishopric since the beginning of the 19th century.

The one building, which however dominates St Mark`s Square, is that of the Basilica, and the Doge`s Place. In counter clockwise from the Grand Canal, buildings that surround the square are the Doge`s Palace, St Mark`s Basilica, and St Mark`s Clock tower, the Procuratie Vecchie, the Napoleonic Wing of the Procuraties, the Procuratie Nuove, St Mark`s Campanile, Loggetta and the Biblioteca Marciana.

It was during the French occupation in 1797 that Napoleon occupied, and then converted the Procuratie Nuove into a royal palace for himself. He added a new wing to the building, in which he placed a ballroom, for his lavish receptions. This building would be the last, to be added to the square.

Although the campanile was a more recent building, it was built to the original design. One end of the square is open to water from the Grand Canal, and the open lagoon. At the waters edge stands two lions on columns, which are known as Marco and Todaro.

These two columns constitute the official gateway, to the fabulous city of Venice. Between the two columns, executions were also once held there, in the past. The Piazza San Marco, is also Venice`s lowest point, and can often flood during the year.

Many tourists have arrived expecting to take a stroll in the square, only to find it under, several feet of water. St Mark`s Square is truly, one of the most iconic landmarks of today, and should be visited, when you are next in Venice. Those who maybe looking, for a cheap hotel in Venice, can find many options close to St Mark`s Square.