Piazzetta di San Marco

The two granite columns you see support the statues of the patron saints of Venice. As you face the Giudecca Canal Saint Theodore (San Teodoro) is on the right – holding a spear, killing a dragon, which he was said to have slain. The dragon is a metaphor for good conquering evil. The winged Lion of San Marco (St Mark) is on the left next to the Doge’s Palace. The lion is the symbol of St Mark. St Theodore was the patron saint of Venice before the relics of Saint Mark were (according to tradition) brought to the city in 828. The columns are thought to have been erected about 1268.

Across the water (the Bacino di San Marco, or Guidecca Canal) at the end of the Piazzetta can be seen the island of San Giorgio Maggiore and the white facade of Andrea Palladio’s church there.

St Mark and Theodore are a common theme in Venice. On the Fondaco dei Tedeschi side of the Rialto Bridge you will find the carved figures of St. Mark and St. Theodore.

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