Lying between the Doge’s Palace and the Sansovino Library, this extension of Piazza San Marco opens out onto the lagoon. It is adorned by a sumptuous pair of granite columns (brought from the east in 1172 but of uncertain origin) atop which stand St Theodore and the lion of St Mark. The latter, seen by the locals as symbolising their evangelist, has a chimera-like quality. In addition to the Doge’s Palace and Sansovino Library, the Piazzetta is overlooked by the campanile.