Piazza San Marco, Venice, in Painting

"The drawing room of Europe" - a remark often attributed to Napoleon, (or to Alfred de Musset). It is the principal square of Venice and the only urban space called a piazza in Venice; the others, regardless of size, are called campi.
Originated in the 9th century as a small area in front of the original St Mark's Basilica, the Piazza was enlarged to its present size and shape in 1177 for the meeting of Pope Alexander III and the Emperor Frederick Barbarossa.

Saint Mark's Basilica, Venice, In Painting
The Doge's Palace, Venice, in Painting

Francesco Guardi. Nighttime Procession in Piazza San Marco, 1758

Francesco_Guardi

Canaletto. Piazza San Marco Looking South West

Canaletto. Piazza San Marco with the Basilica

Gentile Bellini. Procession of the True Cross 1496

Joseph Heintz the Younger. Piazza San Marco at Carnival Time

Joris Hoefnagel. View of San Marco and the Palazzo Ducale on fire from Civitates Orbis Terrarum