St Mark’s palazzo opens doors for the first time

For centuries the impressive arcades flanking St Mark's Square in Venice have embodied the watery city's elegance, harmony, and architectural significance.

Now, the Renaissance-era palazzo whose galleries span as far as the eye can see on the north side of the square opened to the public for the first time on April 8, following a three-year renovation.

The building known as the Procuratie Vecchie, now owned by Italian insurer Generali, was long the seat of the Procurators of St Mark, who for centuries administered the assets of the church in the wealthy city of Venice, away from the public eye.

The exclusive invitation for locals to finally glimpse the interior of the storied palace following the inauguration has attracted reservations from more than 3,000 Venetians. Doors will be open to tourists from around the world from April 13.

Built in the 12th century, the Procuratie Vecchie was devastated by fire in 1512, its Venetian-Byzantine building replaced in 1538 by the Renaissance gem in classical style, whose arches -- along with the square's basilica, belltower -- are one of the St. Mark's most recognized features.

Generali commissioned renowned English architect David Chipperfield to breathe new life into the building.

Although St Mark's Square is one of the world's most famous, "none of us has really imagined what is behind these facades," Chipperfield told AFP, adding it was rare for such a big square to enjoy "such a coherent façade."

"Superficially it all looks as if it has been built in one time but it has been built by a number of architects over 100 years," he said, adding that his role was to correct many of the "haphazard changes" made over the years.

Besides restoring the first and second floors...