San Marco is the smaller district of the town but it contains the political and religious heart of Venice. It has always been inhabited by the nobility and, together with Rialto and San Pietro di Castello, it is part of the original nucleus in the development of Venice. It is limited north by the Grand Canal, south by Saint Mark’s basin, west by Rio del Palazzo and east by Rio de San Zulian. It borders north with Cannaregio district and east with Castello district, it is connected with San Polo district through Rialto bridge and with Dorsoduro through Accademia bridge. Administratively, the district contains San Giorgio Maggiore island too.
Saint Mark’s square, the political and religious heart of Venice.
In the origin, its name was Rivoalto, in which Rialto come from too. It was called also Civitas Rivoalti, recalling the area of its foundation. Saint Mark’s square is naturally the heart of the district: for more than 1000 years was the political, decision and judiciary center of the Republic of Venice. Here took place the most important event as the Venice Carneval, who is still alive nowadays. Saint Mark’s square is the only square of the town exposed on the maritime basin: richful of monuments and palaces, it gathers more than 15 centuries of history and art. Saint Mark’s square is the living room of the venetian citizens: the open space dedicated to host all the most importants events in the town.
San Marco district hosts several monuments like the Bell tower, the basilica and the Doge’s Palace.
Together with the “Paròn de casa“, the bell tower, who towers with its 98 meters of height in the square and all the town, you can enjoy the view of several monuments, very close together and in different styles, as the venetian stylistic instructs. You can see the Procuratie right in front of the Basilica and the Doge’s palace, venue of the juridical power of the Serenissima; the clock tower, restored in 2006; the famous bridge of sighs beyond which starts Castello district. There is also the Napoleonic wing where you can find Correr museum. Outside the square you can also find La Fenice theatre, Goldoni theatre, San Moisè church, Palazzo Grassi and the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, where the basilica and the Cini foundation rise.
San Giorgio Maggiore island is part of the San Marco district too
From Hotel Bucintoro you can reach San Marco district very easily! Ask at the reception for mor information!
