We loved spending time in St. Mark's square. This is the clock tower. It is cool how it has 24 number markers, just like Europeans use for their time system today.
The cathedral was being cleaned, so it wasn't quite as majestic looking as usual. It is such an interesting blend of design. We didn't get a chance to go inside, but enjoyed looking at the exterior!
This is the oldest cafe in Italy (built in 1720), located right in St. Mark's square. It is very beautiful, and very expensive. 
This is the Doge's Palace. (The palace of the King). We were able to walk through it. The king would live here...in fact he could not leave here. They were worried about his safety, so they brought people to him for meetings and would not allow him to leave.
In the palace was a big, beautiful courtyard.
You can see St. Mark's cathedral in the background of the courtyard.
I love the tops of the domes of the cathedral. They are somewhat fanciful in their style -they remind me of a Willy Wonka movie.
I thought this was a great idea... at the palace there was this "tattle tale box". You could rat out your neighbor for breaking a law. You just write on the paper their crime and anonymously place it in the mouth of the plaque. The authorities would then review the crime and enforce the punishment - painless! I'm thinking of putting one of these in my home.
Matthew loved the weapons room. They have all sorts of armor, weapons, and shields. Next to the weapons room were the court rooms. People would have their trial and then be led a little further to the prison. I could imagine how dark and cold those prison cells would have been.
On their way to prison, the accused would walk on a bridge with windows looking out onto Venice. This became called the "bridge of sighs" because people would sigh at the city they would probably never see again.
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