If you think that our afternoon stroll with our distinguished guest today was without purpose, you are mistaken.

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Our afternoon walk today has brought us to the iconic Piazza San Marco. This renowned square is home to the magnificent St. Mark's Basilica, a must-see landmark in Venice. While entry to the basilica is free, it is considered a highlight of the city, rivaling the famed gondola rides that many visitors seek to experience.

The significance of this site stems from its role as the resting place of St. Mark, a Christian evangelist whose remains were stolen from Alexandria, Egypt, by two Venetian merchants. Initially a modest church, it underwent centuries of renovations, culminating in its present grandeur. The church's design reflects influences from the Holy Apostles Church in Constantinople, Turkey.

This temple's unique characteristic is its lack of a singular style. It may sound confusing, but some texts describe its art as Moorish, while others claim it to be Byzantine, with some Gothic influences. However, this eclectic mix is perfectly harmonious, blending seamlessly. It features colored stones, stucco, sculpted sculptures, gold mosaics, stone pillars, curved domes, and pointed spires. The harmonious blend of these elements is truly remarkable.

The basilica is divided into three levels. The lower level consists of marble columns supporting five arched doorways. Above this level, mosaics can be seen. The upper level is the celestial level, where statues of brave saints who protect the city are located. In the center is the presiding saint, St. Mark. Looking down above the central door under the statue of St. Mark, one can see a winged golden lion. This is the symbol of St. Mark, which can be seen throughout Venice on flags, paintings, sculptures, and souvenirs. It is even found on door knockers, making it the mascot of Venice. The reason why the lion became a symbol of Venice is because of a story that the Venetians used to keep lions as pets, but this was later forbidden. The golden lion at the top has an open book with a Latin inscription. According to the book I read, it translates to "Peace to you, Mark my Evangelist." This means "Peace be with you, Mark our Evangelist." This saying comes from a Venetian legend that when the body of St. Mark was brought to Venice, an angel appeared and said these words. This led the Venetians to believe wholeheartedly (in their own favor) that bringing the body of St. Mark to Venice as his final resting place was in accordance with God's will. Thus, what was wrong became right from then on. And so it was.

The five curved sections of the dome depict stories, with the two left and right sections narrating the transfer of St. Mark's remains to Venice. The central section prominently features the Last Judgement, where the righteous and the wicked are depicted on either side.

Saint Mark

The winged lion, a symbol of Venice.

Turning around, you will see a towering structure made of orange bricks. This is the Campanile, or bell tower, which stands at an impressive 98.6 meters tall. It is the highest point from which you can admire the entire city of Venice. At the top, there are five bells, each with a distinct sound used to signal different events. The largest bell tolls to mark the start and end of the workday, morning and evening. The second bell tolls at noon, the third bell calls members of the council to meetings, the fourth bell summons the Senate, and the final bell tolls for the execution of prisoners. However, there is one occasion when all five bells ring together: when the Pope arrives in Venice. Visitors can climb to the top for a fee, but be prepared to queue, as it can take some time.

The Moors' Clocktower: A Symbol of Venetian Opulence

The Moors' Clocktower, also known as the Torre dell'Orologio, stands as a testament to Venetian wealth and ingenuity. This elaborate structure boasts a terrace adorned with a large bell and two bronze statues known as the Mori. Beneath these figures, a clock displays the hour with the Mori striking the bell with their hammers.

Flanking the stone lions are representations of the Madonna and an early prototype of the modern digital clock. The left side displays the hour in Roman numerals, while the right side indicates the minutes in Arabic numerals, changing every five minutes. Below, an astronomical clock with a gold and blue enamel face showcases the phases of the moon and the zodiac.

Venice's Must-See Piazza San Marco

This passage describes the Piazza San Marco in Venice, highlighting its significance as a tourist destination. The author emphasizes three key attractions:

1. The Doge's Palace: A historical landmark and symbol of Venetian power.
2. St. Mark's Basilica: A stunning example of Byzantine architecture and a major religious site.
3. St. Mark's Campanile: A towering bell tower offering panoramic views of the city.

The author argues that visiting these three attractions is essential for any tourist visiting Venice. They are considered "a must" and represent the city's rich history and cultural heritage. The passage also hints at the presence of other attractions in the Piazza San Marco, inviting readers to explore further.

Here's the translated text:

Three must-see attractions for tourists visiting Venice are the Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Basilica, and St. Mark's Campanile. These iconic landmarks represent the city's rich history and cultural heritage. Visiting these attractions is essential for any tourist wanting to experience the true essence of Venice.

Note: The original text is in Thai, and the translation is in English. The tone of voice is simple and short, as requested. The translation focuses on conveying the key message of the original text while maintaining a formal academic style.

From St. Mark's Square, if you continue walking along the waterfront, on the left-hand side you will find the Doge's Palace. The Doge was the ruler of Venice. On the right-hand side, the white building with numerous statues is the National Library of St. Mark, one of the oldest libraries in the country and home to one of the largest collections of ancient books in the world. This area is a small square called the Piazzetta, which leads to the Grand Canal, where gondolas are lined up to serve tourists.

The Library of Venice

The palace of Doj

In the Piazzetta, two stone columns stand, brought from Constantinople. One depicts a winged lion, the symbol of Venice, while the other features a carving of St. Theodore battling a crocodile. St. Theodore was the patron saint of Venice before the arrival of St. Mark's remains, who then became the city's patron saint. It is said that the space between the St. Theodore column and the St. Mark column was once used for executions and public displays of corpses. Legend has it that true Venetians would be aware of this history and avoid walking between the two columns. As a non-Venetian, I paid no heed and walked through countless times.

As I walked past the two stone pillars, I found myself on a waterfront promenade known as Molo San Marco. The area was teeming with docks and gondolas, making it a true tourist hotspot. The sight was truly breathtaking, as you can see from the photos I've captured. The sleek black gondolas with their vibrant blue canopies, bathed in the golden glow of the setting sun, against the backdrop of the majestic Basilica di San Giorgio Maggiore, created a perfect harmony of light and shadow. It was a scene of unparalleled beauty. I couldn't resist snapping dozens of photos from this iconic spot. No matter your photography skills, capturing this view will undoubtedly result in stunning, captivating images. Even with my limited skills, I managed to capture the essence of this breathtaking scene. Every time I look at these photos, I'm filled with an overwhelming desire to return to that exact spot. But honestly, simply standing there and soaking in the beauty for an extended period was enough to take my breath away. As the sun gradually bid farewell, painting the sky with vibrant hues, a strange sense of loneliness and longing washed over me. It made me think of someone special, reminding me of the profound impact our surroundings can have on our emotions.

Note: The original text is empty, so the translation is also empty.

The Bridge of Sighs, originally known as the Bridge of Prison, connects the Doge's Palace, the seat of government, to the prison. The name "Bridge of Sighs" was coined later by Lord Byron, who imagined that prisoners would sigh as they caught their last glimpse of sunlight through the bridge's windows. Legend has it that if lovers kiss under the bridge while riding a gondola, their love will be eternal. This may explain the abundance of gondolas carrying young couples passing beneath the bridge. However, it is unclear whether this legend was created by gondoliers to boost their business.

Bridge of Sighs

Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore

Standing on the Ponte della Paglia, you can clearly see the Santa Maria della Salute church on the other island. It is recommended to admire this church from afar, as it is a large octagonal structure. The church is built with Croatian stone and has a bell tower offering panoramic views.

Our Lady of Health

As the first night in Venice drew to a close, it was time to make our way back to our accommodation. Walking remained our preferred mode of transportation. Contrary to popular belief, Venice at night is far from being completely asleep. While darkness may have enveloped the city, causing most shops to close and gondolas to disappear from the narrow canals that crisscross the island, numerous restaurants remained bustling with tourists enjoying their meals and drinks.

The enchanting atmosphere made it difficult to bid farewell to the joy that permeated the air. As night descended, we reluctantly parted ways, our hearts filled with lingering contentment. Despite the bittersweet departure, we eagerly anticipate our next rendezvous. Stay tuned for our upcoming adventure!

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