The Church and the Square in the 11th Century

When the present basilica was built, water from the lagoon flowed freely onto the Square via a dock, lapping the edges of the church and the bell tower. A small water canal separated the church from the rest of the ducal palace and would often become surrounded by water like a castle. The piazza was small, finishing at the ' rio batario', beyond which was the small church of San Geminiano.