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Piazzetta (San Marco)
from:
Fisheye Venice
At the opposite end of the Piazzetta, two columns face the square and the
waterfront. (Originally there were three, but one fell into the lagoon during
the columns' installation during the 12th Century.)
The granite columns--one named "Marco," the other "Todaro"--were
imported from Egypt at a time when Venetians were bringing back saints' relics,
antiquities, and other loot from trading trips and military successes abroad. The sculptures on top are later additions.
In the
heyday of the Venetian Republic, the space between the columns--also used for
executions--was the only area in Venice where gambling was legally permitted.
Today, the Casiṇ di Venezia is the
nearest gaming venue, although you might get lucky and find a Three-Card Monte
dealer hiding among the pigeons.
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