Last Updated: December 21, 2021
10 Beautiful Piazzas in Venice
Known best as “the city of canals,” Venice, Italy is one of the most coveted travel destinations on the planet. The beauty and romance of Venice emanate from its location of over 100 islands on a lagoon in the Adriatic Sea. The islands are connected by canals rather than roads, and picturesque squares called piazzas or campos are scattered throughout the city. Dating back centuries, the squares once served as places where citizens gathered for social, religious, and political activities.
In addition to cruising along the Grand Canal, one of the highlights for visitors in Venice is strolling along the winding streets to discover the town squares, explore the ancient architecture, and experience the festivities of the piazzas. Here are 10 of the most beautiful piazzas to visit in Vienna.
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1. Piazzo San Marco
Established during the 9th century, the Piazzo San Marco was once declared as “the world’s most beautiful drawing room by Napoleon. Millions of visitors each year agree. It’s located in the heart of Venice and at the city’s lowest point. The first place to flood in the city, the square is occasionally under a few inches of water for two or three hours. When this happens, wooden footbridges are installed for visitors.
San Marco is the only square in Venice piazza; the other squares are called piazza or campo. One of the most notable buildings in the piazza is the Byzantine style Basilica of San Marco built in the 6th century. The Tomb of San Marco is located under the altar, and the main treasure is the Pala d’Oro, a piece of gold on the altar adorned with silver and precious stones.
Other famous buildings you’ll want to tour include the Doge’s Palace, the Campanile (the Basilica’s bell tower) the Torre dell’ Orologio (clock tower), and the Museo Correr.
Spend the afternoon, people watch, take photos. And after dark, the piazza is a festive place to visit with live music in the cafes.
2. Piazzetta di San Marco
Image courtesy of Flickr
The south side of the Piazza San Marco is connected to the lagoon by an open space called the Piazzetta di San Marco. It is situated between the Doge’s Palace and the Biblioteca Marciana (St. Mark’s Library). Recognizable by two mysterious columns, the piazzetta has long served as a welcoming place to the city. You’ll see the columns when looking away from the sea towards the Piazza San Marco.
One of the enigmatical columns features the famed winged lion of the Serenissima and the other depicts the warrior San Teodor, the first patron saint of Venice slaying a dragon. The statue is regarded as a symbol of Venice’s multiculturalism. The head and bust are from statues of Roman empires and its armor is made of the same marble as the Parthenon, a former Greek temple. The statue’s shield is made from Istrian stone, and the arms, legs, and dragon are of marble from an island between the Black and Agean Seas.
3. Campo Santo Stefano
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Campo Santo Stefano is an expansive space in the Sestiere of San Marco, a prestigious residential neighborhood. Centuries ago, the campo was all grass, except for a stone avenue, and used for bullfighting. Today, it’s a busy, modern commerce area centered around a statue of the 19th-century Italian journalist Niccolò Tommaseo who fought in the 1848 rebellion against the Austrians.
The campo is bordered by remnants of Gothic frescoes and a Gothic church featuring a wooden ship’s keel roof. a Gothic portal, and baroque altars. Other fascinating buildings on the campo include the Palazzetto da Lezze and the Palazzo Loredan.
Campo Santo Stefano is a popular place for locals and tourists, hosting Christmas and Carnavale festivities.
4. Campo Santa Margherita
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Campo Santa Margherita is Venice’s livliest square. It has no ancient buildings except for a small, isolated one in the middle built in 1725 for the Scuola dei Varoteri (tanners). It has also been a coal store, a cinema, and a school for mystical fascism during the 1930s. Today, it houses council offices.
The wide green space is part of the mostly residential Dorsoduro district and features huge oaks, beautiful shrubs and flowers, picturesque ponds, benches, and gelato shops. One of the main attractions is a garden with an elegant fountain. Popular with university students, locals, and tourists, the campo is a market square during the day and the center of nightlife after dark. Tourists are drawn to the square’s fruit and fish markets, restaurants, open-air bars, and pizzerias.
Campo Santa Margherita is also home to the Auditorio Santa Margherita, a conference venue owned by the University of Venice.
5. Campo San Paolo
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The largest campo and second-largest square after Piazza San Marco, Campo San Paolo is named after the Cripple of San Paolo, an oil painting from the 16th century. The main feature of the square is the church of San Paolo Apostolo. Of particular interest is its bell tower adorned with two 12th century lions, a Venetian example of Romanesque art. The church is surrounded by several important palaces such as Soranzo Palace, Tiepolo Palace, Corner Mocenigo Palace, and Donà Palace.
The campo was originally used for grazing and agriculture. Later, it was the scene of many bullfights, masked balls, and mass sermons. It was entirely paved in 1493 and a well (now a fountain) was placed in the middle. In 1548, a hired assassin murdered Lorenzino de Medici, a Florentine intellectual in the camp.
Today, Campo San Paolo is a popular Carnival venue and is used for open-air concerts and Venice Film Festival screenings.
6. Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo
The architecture and monuments in this campo make it one of the most beautiful squares in Venice. Subsequently, it bears the nickname Campo delle Maravege meaning “Square of Marvels.” The campo’s most impressive work of architecture is the Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Giovanni and Saint Paolo constructed by the Dominicans during the 13th and 14th centuries. The temple is well-preserved thanks to massive restoration in the mid 20th century.
Another very impressive architectural marvel in the camp is an imposing statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni, designed by Verrocchio. Tour groups often congregate here for the splendid architectural works and to visit the popular cafe and pastry shop for delicious food and gelato.
7. Campo dell’Anzolo Rafael
A quiet square with lots of well-cared-for dogs, Campo dell Angolo Rafael isn’t one of the most popular campos in Venice, but it is a beautiful spot for quiet reflection. The square features the church of San Angelo Raffaele built by Francesco Continuo in the 7th century. A stunning Lombard sculpture representing the archangel Raphael by Sebastiano Mariani in the 16th century adorns the gate to the church.
Visitors can go inside to church to admire paintings near the organ by Francesco Guardi. And on Sunday mornings, they can attend the impressive mass. Afterward, there are plenty of fascinating shops to browse.
8. Campo San Barnaba
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
Campo San Barnaba was swarming with boatloads of fruits and vegetables almost a century ago. But today, the tidy square is home to the San Barnaba, a neighborhood church. Built during the 9th century, it was destroyed by fire in 1105 and rebuilt in 1350. It was reconstructed in 1776 to its present form. A bridge opposite from the church bears the same name.
If you think you recognize the church, you may. Now deconsecrated and only used for exhibitions, it was featured in the film “Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade” in 1989. A scene was shot in front of the church using the facade as an imaginary library.
9. Campo Santa Maria Formosa
Image courtesy of Wikimedia
This quaint little square in the Castello district is a getaway from the crowded piazzas of Venice. Campo Santa Maria Formosa has a co-op market, locally-owned shops, and a few cafes. Visitors come here to relax with a coffee, shop, people watch, and get a flavor of Vienna’s local life.
The campo was named after the 15th-century church Santa Maria Formosa that borders to square. Visitors can tour the church as well as the nearby parish church from the 7th century.
After resting in the peaceful square, you can climb a bridge to see the magnificent Fondazione QueriniStampalia and admire its extraordinary architecture.
10. Campo San Giacomo dell’Orioa Pescaria
Campo Della Pescaria is a bustling square with an extensive fish market, open-air fresh vegetable market, and lots of souvenir shops. The square is loved by the locals, and many residents attend the San Giacomo dall’Orio Church. For tourists, it also features some very important historical elements, namely the Grand Canal and the Rialto Bridge.
The Grand Canal is a major tourist attraction and connects visitors to other places of interest. It acts as Venice’s “Main Street” and stays busy with traffic from gondolas to barges and everything in between. The canal curves in a reverse S throughout the city. The Rialto Bridge is the oldest of four that cross the Grand Canal. The first bridge was a wooden structure that partially burnt down in 1310. The present stone bridge was erected between 1588 and 1591.
To see Venice in all its splendor and get great photos, cross the bridge at varying times during the day.
About the Author Anna Timbrook
Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.
