Feeding the Pigeons in Venice's Piazza San Marco

Feeding the pigeons in Piazza San Marco, St. Mark's Square, will no longer be one of Venice's tourist attractions. Pigeon waste damages Venice's historic sites, is a health problem, and is costly to clean up. Pigeon feeding has been restricted to St. Mark's Square but now the city of Venice has banned pigeon feeding altogether in hopes of keeping Venice cleaner and preserving its historic monuments.

Last year, restrictions were placed on tourist behavior in the square in an effort to clean it up a little, too.

St. Mark's Square is a major tourist draw in Venice. Around the square are Basilica San Marco or St. Mark's Cathedral, the Doge's Palace, and the clock tower, recently reopened to the public. The square is lined with elegant historic buildings and posh cafes, like the famous Caffe Florian, popular since 1720. Although costly, sitting at a cafe on the square is a great place for people watching and soaking in the atmosphere of Venice.

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_{Photo of pigeons in Piazza San Marco © by Gail, Photos of Old America}