Day 4: San Marco's Piazza

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San Marco's Piazza is the only true "square" in Venice. Thus, it has been the scene of most all of the Venetian politcal, religious, and social events for almost a millennium. The square is dominated my San Marco's Basilica. Built in the 9th century, the Basilica was to be the resting place for the mortal remains of St. Mark the Evangelist, stolen from Alexandria of Egypt by Venetian merchants. The Basilica is also well known for housing the Pala d'Oro, one of the richest and most precious altar screens in the world. It is covered with more than 3000 precious stones and enamel icons inlaid in gold. Other impressive sites of the Piazza are the Doge's Palace, the seat of Vetetian power, and St. Mark's Bell Tower. Below are pics from San Marco's Piazza. Read more about the history of San Marco's Piazza by clicking here.

Pics from San Marco's Piazza.

The Piazza is a very busy place!

The place is crowded with all kinda of people, sellers, tourists, and pigeons!

You can buy little bags of seeds to feed the birds. They will land right on your hands to take them!

It felt so funny having these birds land in your hands!

They are so tame and use to people...

The boys wanna try as well...

1000's of pigeons...

They didn't like Nate!

Thats the last pigeon picture I promise. This Chinese woman who took the pics got a little carried away I think haha!

San Marco's Basilica.

The artwork on the Basilica.

A view of the crowded square.

St. Mark's Bell Tower. It fell mysteriously in the early 1900's, but was later rebuilt.

Another shot of the Basilica.

The side view of St. Mark's Basilica.

The art and stonework is very impressive.

The Basilica looking down the side.

Jose, Dan, and me in San Marco's Piazza.

Check out the pics from our Venice boat tour.