The transformations

The second great phase of organized and significant construction in the Piazza started in the 1500s and ended in the 1600s. This phase was required by Venice for its own glorification and to create a unique monumental complex that could be admired by the many visiting travellers who exalted its beauty in that period.
In fact, in the 1500s, the Piazza had taken on its present shape with the construction or reconstruction of most its buildings. The fa�ades of the Basilica and the Ducal Palace were completed in the 15th century, many works were accomplished to glorify Venice and, besides their architectural prestige, a strong symbolic element is inherent.
Although Sansovino was only partly planner and artificer of architectural works, he left a most evident mark by synthesising Romanism and the Republic’s need to glorify itself, which is particularly noticeable in the Library.

In 1500 construction went ahead with the building of the Torre dell’Orologio (Clock Tower), a work attributed to Codussi, which was at the same time, an opportunity to create a monumental entrance to the Piazza, and also to mark the “market area” that led from the Piazza through Mercerie as far as the Rialto area.
In the period from 1514 to 1538 the Procuratie Vecchie was rebuilt: in the final stage Sansovino directly took part in the construction of the last colonnades stretching as far as the church of St. Geminiano, whose fa�ade he designed and where he was buried.
In 1514 the building of the Campanile was completed: on 6th July of the previous year the Golden Angel was raised on a revolving platform that turned in the wind.
The monuments of the Piazzetta were completed with the construction of the Library, called the “Sansoviniana” as it was designed and built by Jacopo Sansovino. It was originally used to house precious codices that Cardinal Bessarione had bestowed on the Republic. This building was defined by Palladio as “the richest and most ornate building that has perhaps been built from antiquity to the present day“. It was built with two orders of arches made up of a Doric colonnade and an upper Ionic floor, embellished with ornaments, culminating at the top in a surrounding balustrade.
Even if today this complex seems restricted by the Campanile on the side facing the Basin, numerous difficulties were encountered during construction. The decision to build was made in 1537 starting at the corner of the Piazza when part of the building fell down in 1545: Sansovino was not only discharged from his position, but was also sent to prison. Work did not recommence until 1547 and was completed as far as the 16th arch in 1554, close to an already existing building: the “beccaria” (butcher’s).
Between 1583 and 1588 Scamozzi completed this work, which retains the same form today. In fact, Scamozzi wished to raise the Library by a floor and for this reason he analysed possibilities that were eventually excluded. To make amends Scamozzi added a final touch to the Library with its surrounding balustrade.
On the quayside, the Library adjoins the Zecca (Mint), an unadorned building fit for the public function it held.
Afterwards (about 1586), as some buildings were demolished, Scamozzi began connecting the Library to the Procuratie Nuove that was finally completed by Longhena around 1640.
At this point, Scamozzi built eight houses side by side, which were a single building with a continuous fa�ade and three orders of colonnades, including two opposite wings giving the Piazza this unique feature.
In 1800 the most significant buildings were the Ala Napoleonica (Napoleonic Wing), with the demolition of the Sansoviniana church of St. Giminiano and the building from 1810 to 1815 of the Patriarcato in Piazzetta dei Leoncini with a monochrome fa�ade in white stone divided into five sections (1832) that contrast with the mosaics and the golden and coloured fa�ades of St. Mark’s (1826 – 1850).

On 14 July 1902 the Campanile collapsed and an immediate decision was take to rebuild it “as and where it was” as narrated in this aulic chronicle of the time, which also reports the steps in its rapid reconstruction.