Venice in the Details

When I first picked my topic of the two columns of Venice, I didn’t know much about them. However through further research I now know more about what the columns represent, how they came to be constructed, and the significance they have for both Venetians and tourists.

The two columns pay homage to two of Venice’s patron saints. The one on the left is topped with a winged lion and represents Saint Mark. The lion of Venice as it is sometimes referred to as is often associated with Saint Mark and ties the two columns to other elements in the piazza such as Saint Mark’s Basilica. The column of the right represents Saint Theodore, who was the patron saint of Venice before Saint Mark. He is holding a spear and standing on what some refer to as an alligator but what represents a dragon, because according to legend he slayed a dragon.

Although an exact date isn’t agreed upon for when the columns came to Venice, the most widely believed date is around 1170. The story is that Doge at the time brought three columns back from a trip to Lebanon, however one feel into the lagoon while moving it from the ship and was never recovered. It is believed that they were originally placed right along the water line to serve as an entrance to Venice from the sea.

Even though they are not right along the water line anymore, the columns are still seen as the official gateway to the piazza and by extension the city itself. They are a well-known and identifiable sight of the piazzetta, or little square. Although they haven’t changed much in appearance over the years, they have changed in functionality. Originally public executions used to take place between the columns earning them their nickname the columns of justice. Even though these executions don’t take place today some superstitious Venetians still won’t walk between them. The two columns of the piazza hold significant value for both those who travel to Venice and those who live there in the past, present, and future.

Reflection

After completing this Venice in the Details assignment I can truly say I didn’t just come here as a tourist. Even if I get lost, mispronounce a word, or take a million photos I know more than the average tourist about not one but ten things. Having the opportunity to listen and present to my peers has allowed me to learn about the significance several elements of the piazza has. Even with a guidebook I would have received a short paragraph at the most so this experience was invaluable.

One of my favorite parts of arriving on the island on Saturday was our quick walk down to the piazza before catching our boat to our dorms. It was really interesting to see the columns, my detail, for the first time. I had seen photos and read descriptions but seeing them with my own eyes was unequal. It was also amazing to be able to look all around and be amazed and overwhelmed by everything, but look at this one element and know that you understand it. It grounded me and helped me realize that even if I couldn’t remember precise details about anything else that we saw in Venice I already knew about the two columns.

These presentations allowed me to move past the “oh that looks cool” phase of traveling and into thinking about how each piece is interconnected. Some details even played into each other and I was very interested in the connections that everything in the piazza had. At the same time there were aspects of our details that were completely different and it was interesting to see how everything could be interconnected yet unique at the same time. These presentations gave me a more complete experience of the piazza and also of Venice itself. A lot of the elements connected with events from history and I’m grateful for the relationships that were drawn to what we are learning in lecture.

This presentation allowed me to come into my trip knowing a little bit about a single detail in Venice. As my trip continues I hope to add many more details to my list.

Works Cited

Ermnengem, K. (2014). St. mark's square, venice. Retrieved March 6 from http://www.aviewoncities.com/venice/piazzasanmarco.htm

Gothereguide.com. (2014). Piazza san marco – piazza san marco information and pictures. Retrieved March 6 from http://www.gothereguide.com/piazza+san+marco+venice-place

Zainoo.com. (2014). St. mark's square - piazza san marco. Retrieved March 6 from http://www.zainoo.com/en/italy/veneto/venice/st-marks-square