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The balcony, at the foot of the Campanile, is the architectural element that
more than any other condenses the celebrative character of the new organisation
of the centre of St. Mark's implemented by the church's Director of Works
Jacopo Sansovino.
Built between 1537 and 1549 to Sansovino's plan, in 1569 it was turned
into a sentry post for dockyard workers during the sessions of the Upper
Council.
The rich front elevation with three great arches and composite order columns
of classical inspiration, overflowing with decorative beauty, makes the
balcony Sansovino's least architectonic work which, more than any other,
transmits that feature of the splendid and the picturesque proper to the
Venetian environment. In the four niches Sansovino placed the bronze statues
of Minerva, Apollo, Mercury and Peace. The marble reliefs with allegorical
depictions are the work of his pupils: Venice as Justice (centre), The
Island of Cyprus (right) and The Island of Candia (left).
In 1663, the side arches having been transformed into portals, the broad
external balustrade terrace was opened before the original façade, later
closed with the elegant bronze gate by Antonio Gai (1735 - 37) who also
created the marble reliefs of the two Putti on the external wings of the
elevation.
Sansovino's fine terracotta group The Virgin with Putto and San Giovannino
was situated in the existing internal niche, now it can be seen in St.
Mark's Museum.
In the reconstruction of the Balcony in 1912, together with the Campanile,
the original architectonic and decorative material was used as much as
possible, but giving the greater dignity of marble facing to the two side
facades which, since Sansovino's day, had remained in plain brick.
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