Tourists from all over the world usually gather in one place when visiting Venice, the Piazza San Marco. Also known as St. Mark's Square, the public plaza is an extension of St. Mark's Basilica, which is located to the West of the basilica. In the past, the piazza was used for everything related to social, religious, and political by many leaders of Venice.
Currently, the piazza's use is for modern-day tourists. Many souvenir shops now pollute the squares many storefronts, along with being mixed in with the romantic aspired restaurants. Tourists will collect in the piazza to take in the magnificent architecture that has been in the same spot since the beginnings of the plaza, which was constructed around 800 AD. Locals also use the square as a meeting place due to it being centrally located and have easy access to the water taxis. Popular stores, like H&M and Louis Vuitton, also are located around the square along with well-known tourist shops such as Feelin Venice and Trevisan. That creates the piazza to capture much attention for the average person with their shopping needs.
While exploring the many shops that encompass the piazza, I was walking into some local shops consisting of expensive jewelry and handmade goods like glassware, which Venice is known for. These local stores capture the beauty of the square and Venice by incorporating traditional Venetian accents within the shop and not catering to the modern everyday style. That was a nice flare of detail to the shop to remind you that you are in Venice. The local shop-owners were always greeting you with a smile of excitement, and they loved hearing where you were from and explaining famous areas of Venice to check out. Their friendly tips of where to go often filled my days with local adventure and experiences that not every average tourist might encounter.
The restaurants along the piazza are everything from decadent and classic to informal and to-go options. Caffé Florian embodies the decorative, ornate feel with the interior decoration and accents throughout the building. The antique furniture within the restaurant enhances this aesthetic by consisting of the classic authentic wood chairs and tables. The gold plated accents around the rooms make the dining feel expensive and fancy. If you wanted to hold a special event or dress up for dinner, this would be the place to do that. On the other hand, there are other restaurants like Café Lavena, where the attire is much more informal than Caffé Florian. Café Lavena tends to be where more under-dressed tourists like to eat. There is no pressure of looking too formal. The outdoor tables at this restaurant can be occupied for hours. At this restaurant, you are also able to grab some cafe items and go if you do not want to sit down for an official meal. It is a great option if you have an upcoming tour for St. Mark's Basilica or Doge's Palace, and you need something quick to snack on.
When I walked into the piazza for the first time, I felt marveled at how populated it was by people. The more narrow areas were shoulder to shoulder crowds, and many tourists were taking photos of the buildings within the larger parts. I captured some great photographs of St. Marks Basilica while standing in the center of the Piazza San Marco.
Being a bit overwhelmed by everything happening, I stood there, breathing in the moment and taking everything in. I observed the shoppers and the restaurant-goers as they went in and out of stores and cafes. I listened to the people talking over the pianos and violins that were being played throughout the square. The smells from the eateries seeped into my nostrils and activated my tastebuds. It was a sensory overload. I watched as people met up with their friends while laughing and smiling. Kids ran through the square, playing with one another. The piazza was the center point for everything in Venice. People came here to congregate and enjoy each other's company. The sight of people being joyful and enjoying the sunshine almost created a sense of relief. It was a reassurance that many people relish their lives and continue to interact with one another.
This area is known for being more "touristy," but in actuality, this area is used for all sorts of reasons by locals as well. There is so much to explore in this piazza within Venice. Being one of the centers within Venice that is used universally, the Piazza San Marco is populated with all kinds of different people. Whether you go there to relax and people watch, attend a tour, or shop your heart away, this piazza is a splendid place to check out while visiting Venice.
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