Even Napoleon was impressed with this space, calling it “the world’s most beautiful drawing room.” Indeed. It still stuns with its beauty!

Piazza San Marco, known in English as St Mark’s Square, is the principal public square of Venice, where it is generally known just as la Piazza (the Square). All other urban spaces in the city (except the Piazzetta and the Piazzale Roma) are called campi (fields). The Piazzetta (little square) is an extension of the Piazza towards San Marco basin in its south east corner. The two spaces together form the social, religious and political centre of Venice and are commonly considered together.

And then, of course, there’s Florians. Gallons of ink have already been spilled on the subject of this delightful relic of old Venice, so I will just show you a couple of pictures to refresh your memory!

Below is one of my favorite art works in the whole wide world: the figures carved in porphyry. The Portrait of the Four Tetrarchs is a sculptural group of four Roman emperors dating from around 300 AD. The group has been fixed to a corner of the façade of St Mark’s Basilica since the Middle Ages. It probably formed part of the decorations of the Philadelphion in Constantinople, and was removed to Venice in 1204 or soon after.

And, now, arrividerci to the piazza, until we meet again!

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On a recent visit to Venice, I spent a good deal of time in the remarkable basilica of San Marco. This historic, beautiful church requires time and attention to truly have any sense of appreciation. The first time I was in this august locale, it was summer…hot as blazes and the church (and city) were filled with tourists. The visit of the church was not an enjoyable experience, despite its beauty and history.

This last visit was completely different. It was a very sunny weekday afternoon in February, with the temperatures warm for February but completely enjoyable with a coat. A perfect day for a perfect church visit.

And, to gild the lily, I was one of about 15 people in the entire church. Travel in winter, all you art lovers out there. It is the only way!

The scenes in these pictures are arranged in the order in which I saw them. My eye is always attracted left, right and center, up, down and backwards, no matter what I am focusing on. I sometimes feel like Emerson’s transparent eyeball. I see a lot.

But, you are welcome to enjoy my photos of this church as I saw it. I took in everything available that day, the separate altarpiece and the walk along the terrace outside on the front exterior. It was exhilarating.

Alas, all good things must come to an end, and so my recent visit to Venice did as well.

I hopped on board the vaporetto #1 from Piazza San Marco, headed to the other end of the Grand Canal, to the stazione. There I’d find my train bound for Florence on a late Friday afternoon. I’d be home, safe and snug in my apartment, by 6 pm. Love that about Italy. It’s so compact! Filled with treasures at every turn.

Here were the sights (and some sounds) along the way.

Above, gliding under the Ponte dell’Accademia.

Below, even the poles outside this august building are highly decorated with golden relief sculptures of the lion, symbol of the city.

Fare thee well, fair Venezia! Alla prossima!

As picturesque as this place is, it isn’t all fun and games. The waters we so admire as visitors is the place of work for many. I find it fascinating.

I absolutely love the name of this boat: Scomenzera, which means “Discomfort” in English!