The Old Procuratie is the original set of buildings in St. Mark’s Square, Venice that were constructed between 1586 and 1640 by architect Jacopo Sansovino. It was built on the foundations of an old palace that had been destroyed during a fire in 1577. The structure consists of three arcades with columns and arches, topped by a loggia with statues depicting various saints and Venetian rulers. This building served as the administrative center for many years, housing the offices of the Procurators of St. Mark’s Basilica and other important figures such as senators, ambassadors, magistrates and notaries.
The New Procuratie was designed by Giorgio Massari in 1740 to expand upon Sansovino’s design. The New Procuratie is larger than its predecessor; it has two levels instead of one, each adorned with Ionic pilasters flanking arched windows topped with decorative vases. While the upper level contains additional rooms for government officials to conduct their business affairs, this section also includes several galleries displaying works from some of Venice’s most celebrated painters such as Titian and Tintoretto.
The Old Procuratie is a single-level structure consisting of three arcades while the New Procuratie is a two-story building featuring Ionic pilasters flanking arched windows decorated with vases on top. The latter also houses art galleries which display works from some famous artists from Venice like Titian or Tintoretto whereas these are absent from its predecessor.