Napoleon had a major impact on Piazza San Marco in Venice. He invaded the city in 1797 and, as part of his occupation, he took control of many of the buildings around the square. During this time, Napoleon removed several religious symbols from around the square including statues and other works of art. This act was seen by some as an attempt to rid Venice of its ties to Catholicism and to further promote French ideals instead.
Napoleon instituted a series of reforms which aimed to modernize both the city and its infrastructure. These included new regulations for taxation and public safety, as well as changes to how Venetian institutions were run. As a result of these reforms, many aspects of life in Venice changed significantly during Napoleon’s occupation; however, Piazza San Marco remained one place that was still recognizable despite all the upheaval taking place around it at the time.
While Napoleonic rule only lasted four years before being overthrown in 1814, it left behind an indelible mark on Piazza San Marco which can still be seen today. For example, much of what is now considered traditional Venetian architecture dates back to this period – such as Gothic Revival-style elements incorporated into some existing structures – while newer monuments like The Lion Of St Mark statue also pay homage to this era in history.