VENICE

Things to see - the city

Basilica of San Marco	Basilica of Saints Giovanni and Paolo	Grand Canal
Piazza San Marco	Piazzetta San Marco	Santa Maria dei Frari

Piazzetta San Marco
This artistic little piazza opens onto the left side of the Basilica at the entrance to the basin of San Marco. The two columns that preside over it, one topped by the Winged Lion in bronze, the other by the statue of San Teodoro with a dragon, are from the twelfth century.
On one side of the little piazza one faces the Doge’s Palace, which was the headquarters of the city government and residence of the Doges.
Inside, the splendid rooms merit a visit, especially the Grand Council Chamber.
Through the Charter Doorway, so called because the Doges had governmental decrees affixed on it, one reaches the interior of the Courtyard of the Doges, where one can admire the size of the Giants and the colonnade of the Gallery.
On the east side of the Doge’s Palace, after the Paglia Bridge, we find the famous Bridge of Sighs, so called because over this passed prisoners entering court to face the judgement of the inquisitors. On the opposite side from the Doge’s Palace, the little piazza is enclosed by the Old Library, the work of Sansovino.