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Napoleon dubbed St Mark's Square the 'finest drawing room in Europe'. Best to arrive at it from one of the small sidestreets to fully appreciate the beauty and expanse of the square and better still if you can see it for the first time at night when it takes on a magical atmosphere. The square which is 175m long and between 56m and 82m wide. It is paved with trachyte and marble and is lined on three sides by tall arcades. Napoleon used it as a royal palace during his stay here. The piazza's two columns bear emblems of the city's patron saints, the winged lion of St Mark and the figure of St Theodore. St Mark's Basilica St Mark's has to be one of the most spectacular churches in the world. And is as breathtaking from the outside as it is inside. It was built in the 11th century in Byzantine style and the five domes and arches were modelled on Constantinople's Church of the Twelve Apostles. The basilica is famous for its golden mosaics, particularly those above the doorways in the facade and decorating the interior domes. Tha Pala d'Oro ( golden ball, designed as an altar frontal piece) is considered a masterpiece of enamel work set in jewels. There are a total of 500 columns and marble lovers will adore the 12th-century marble pavement underfoot. The campanile, opposite the church, was rebuilt in in 1912 after its collapse in 1902 but it hails back to 10th century. You can queue to take the lift to the top for some fabulous views of the city and lagoon. |