The monuments of Area Marciana

Saint Mark square is the center of city life and maximum urban complex of Venice, takes its name from the basilica built in the ninth century and dedicated to the holy name. The basilica is the best example of Venetian art - Byzantine church was rebuilt on the model of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. Above the main entrance are the famous “Quadriga”, coming from the hippodrome in Constantinople. Currently, the original is preserved in the museum of St. Mark inside the basilica and was replaced by a copy. Opposite the church's bell tower, affectionately called "El Paron de Casa", is 98.6 meters high and is one of the highest towers of Italy. On its top there is a golden statue of the Archangel Gabriel, mounted on a rotating platform that functions as a weathervane. Next to the basilica there is the famous Ducale Palace, rebuilt in the XIV - XV centuries by master Venetian, Tuscan and Lombard in place of a previous building. It is considered highest expression of Venetian Gothic architecture. In the past it was the residence of the Doges, but now has turned into a museum. Another monument at the entrance of the square is the clock tower on top of it there are the Mori, two bronze statues representing two pastors with a bat flying hours on a large bell. It is noticeable that never plays the exact time, but twice: the first five minutes in advance the exact time and the old man who represents the time that has passed, while the young man, five minutes after right time, to represent the time to come. The square is bordered on either side by the Procuratie that fall into old, new, brand new also known as Ala Napoleonica. The old apartments were used by the prosecutors, the highest office of state after the Doge. Partially damaged by fire were rebuilt, currently there are shops and offices. The new, during the Italian kingdom, were used as the royal palace. Now house the Museo Correr, the Museo del Risorgimento and the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana. In addition to them there is placed under the eighteenth-century coffee Florian. The newest, or Ala Napoleonica , were built at the behest of Napoleon, after razing the church of San Gimignano. Since 1922 hosting the Correr Museum. As already mentioned, in the new Procuratie there is Sansovino library, also known as the Biblioteca Marciana. It is situated opposite the Ducal Palace, contains one of the finest collections of Greek manuscripts, Latin and eastern parts of the world and is one of the largest libraries of Italy, which function as State archives. Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro, are placed at the entrance to the pier of the Marciana and surmounted by statues of the city's patron St. Mark the Evangelist and St. Theodore.