The bronze Horseman is a central landmark of Piazza San Marco in Venice, Italy. It is the largest equestrian statue in the world and is believed to have been commissioned by Venetian doge Enrico Dandolo in 1204. The sculpture depicts the winged Lion of St. Mark, symbolizing Venice’s patron saint, riding a rearing horse atop a pedestal adorned with scenes from ancient Roman history. This monument has become an iconic symbol of both Venice and Italy as it celebrates their shared heritage and stands as testament to their storied past. Its positioning near the entrance to the Basilica di San Marco serves to remind all who enter that this sacred space belongs not only to Christianity but also to those older pagan gods and traditions that laid the foundations for modern European culture.