Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro, Venice

The Lion of St Mark at Piazzetta San Marco in Venice
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:7324_-_Venezia_-_Piazzetta_San_Marco_-_Colonna_del_leone_di_S._Marco_-_Foto_Giovanni_Dall%27Orto,_12-Aug-2006.jpg
Author: Giovanni Dall'Orto


Columns of San Marco and San Teodoro are two of the most substantial items spirited from Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade. They were installed at the entrance to the Piazzetta San Marco in 1172 by engineer Nicolò Barattieri.

Approaching from the direction of the lagoon, the column to the right is Colonna San Marco, or St Mark's Column. It is topped by the Winged Lion of St. Mark, the symbol of Venice. The column on the left is the Colonna San Teodoro, or St. Theodore's Column. It shows St Theodore, the patron Saint of Venice with a dragon, created from pieces of other ancient statues.

The Winged Lion of St. Mark is made of bronze and weighs 3,000 kg. In 1990 it was sent to the British Museum in London for restoration, and was returned to its perch with much ceremony.

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