A winged lion its bronze eyes gleaming. That’s the Column of Saint Mark. Right here before you. Majestic it stands a symbol of Venice itself.
The Column of Saint Mark is more than just a column. It’s a testament to Venice’s rich history and its connection to the East. Legend says it arrived as a spoil of war. Brought from the East in 1127. Three columns were transported on separate ships. One capsized. Another sank in the lagoon. Only two remain. These two were erected by a man named Nicholas Barattieri. He was rewarded with the right to operate a gambling table between them. A privilege that ended with his death.
The Column of Saint Mark isn’t just grey granite. Its base shows scenes of artisans at work. Greengrocers selling their wares. It’s a tribute to those who helped raise this mighty monument. The column’s summit showcases the winged lion. The symbol of Saint Mark the city’s patron saint since 862 AD.
This lion has seen it all. It was even taken to Paris by Napoleon. A trophy of war. Then returned in 1815. It was removed again during World War II. Only to be put back on April 25 1991. Saint Mark’s feast day. The lion isn’t just Venetian. Recent studies suggest it might have ancient Chinese origins. From the Tang Dynasty. How it ended up in Venice remains a mystery.
For centuries the space between the Columns of Saint Mark and Saint Todaro was a place of public executions. Condemned men faced the square their backs to the lagoon. They saw the clock tower as their last sight. A morbid reminder. This is why Venetians avoid walking between the columns. It’s a superstition rooted in the city’s dark past.
The Column of Saint Mark stands tall. A silent witness to centuries of Venetian life. It’s a majestic symbol a powerful reminder. A story in stone.