Piazza San Marco is an excellent example of a public square. Designed over several years, the configuration of the plaza has changed on various occasions to accommodate the campanile at the entrance and the library arcade.

Doge's Palace and San Marco's Basilica stand out as prominent buildings, both as viewed from the plaza and from the promenade along the water's edge. Two free standing columns define the boundary of the piazzetta, the smaller square that links the promenade with the main plaza. The buildings are diverse in character and appearance, adding to the episodic quality of the space.