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Streets and Squares in Venice
Strolling through the old, winding streets of Venice at some point you will find yourself on one of the city’s numerous squares, called campi in Italian, for they started out as grassy fields (campo means 'field'). Most smaller campi are known to hold daily markets, which have become an attraction in their own right. Piazza San Marco, the only piazza in Venice, is one of the most magnificent squares in all of Europe, comprising a remarkable ensemble of architectural gems. Campo San Polo, Campo San Luca and Campo dei Santo Giovanni e Paolo attract nearly as many visitors with their sights and unique atmosphere.
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Piazza San Marco
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Piazza San Marco, or St Mark's Square as it is known in English, is the centre of everyday life in Venice. It is visited by millions of tourists annually and long ago became a world-famous postcard motif. The reason lying behind its popularity is the abundance of landmarks that are of great historical and cultural importance, surrounding it from all sides. The square is also lined with chic boutiques and charming street cafes. And last, but not least, the unrivalled view over the square and the lagoon that opens in front of your eyes from the top of the bell tower is a great appeal to tourists. Piazza San Marco is also renowned for the thousands of pigeons that are almost always present and are
one of the favourite objects for photographing.
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Canal Grande, by Panayiotis Constantinides, Syros island,
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Canal Grande
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The Canal Grande is the most important waterway in the 'City of Water' and an emblematic location of the city. The almost 4 kilometres-long canal crosses the central part of Venice and is in immediate proximity to all major attractions and landmarks. To a great extent, Venice owes its uniqueness to this waterway and the gondolas that float along the canals. The Canal Grande starts at St Mark's Basin and flows into the Venetian lagoon after numerous curves and meanders. One of the most amazing
main streets worldwide takes tourists on a journey through history, as all styles of architecture known in Venice are present along the banks of the canal. The leading shops, restaurants and places for entertainment are not far from the most frequently used transport road of the 'Queen of
the Adriatic'.
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Campo dei Santi
Giovanni e Paolo
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Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo is among the most attractive squares in Venice, as far as architecture and monuments are concerned. It comes as no surprise that the spot was nicknamed Campo delle Maravege, or 'Square of Marvels'. The most impressive building dominating the campo is the Roman Catholic church, dedicated to Saint Giovanni and Saint Paolo. The majestic temple was constructed during the 13th and 14th Centuries by the Dominicans. It houses rich art and cultural heritage, and has been perfectly preserved due to a thorough restoration in the middle of the 20th Century. Another monument amidst the square that is worth admiration is the massive statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni, designed by Verrocchio.
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Campo Santa Margherita
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Address: Dorsoduro
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Campo Santa Margherita ranks among one of the favourite recreational areas of both locals and visitors. This wide green area occupies part of the predominantly residential Venetian district Dorsoduro. Massive oaks, thick shrubs, romantic ponds and a striking variety of trees and beautiful flowers enchant visitors and make Campo Santa Margerita the perfect place for a family picnic. The large open spaces with plenty of benches and ice-cream shops also add to the appeal of the area. One of the main attractions in the garden is the splendidly decorated fountain. Many guests are drawn by the huge traditional fruit and fish market, as well as copious restaurants offering all varieties of cuisine.
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Campo San Polo
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Campo San Polo is the second largest square in the 'City of Water', together with the incomparable Piazza San Marco, which is the only space in Venice that has the honour to be called Piazza. All other squares are known as campos, and the biggest and most famous among them is Campo San Polo in the heart of the district of the same name. The place served as a grazing ground until the late Middle Ages when, in 1493, it was paved and decorated with one of the extremely rare fountains
in the city.
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Campo San Luca
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Campo San Luca has always been a favourite place for local citizens, many of whom consider it to be the very heart of the city. In the centre of the square there is a marble pedestal and a flag-pole, where in the past the national flag was raised on public holidays. The square plays an important role in the Venetian Carnival, due mainly to its interesting history that abounds in legendary events.
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