Submitted by: Dark Knight (from Southern California, CA, USA)
Country: Italy
Region: Veneto
City: Venice
Location: St. Mark's Square [map]
Status since photo:
Piazza San Marco, also known as St. Mark's Square, is the main public square of Venice. Along with the neighboring Piazzetta, this area forms the social, religious and political center of the city. It is also adjacent to St. Mark's Basilica, the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice that was consecrated in 1071. The plaza itself was established at around 800; it played a role in European history when Napoleon conquered Venice and seized its horse and lion decorations, sending them to France in 1797, where they remained until 1814, when Venice was occupied by Austria and its chancellor Prince Metternich ordered them returned. The square also occasionally floods due to the "acqua alta" (high waters) that affect Venice from time to time.
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