Monday 1 September 2014

Venetian legend

 
Bartolomeo Colleoni was a Venetian mercenary soldier who became immensely rich fighting for "La Serenissima".  At his death in 1475 he stipulated in his will that all his fortune is to go to Venice provided it erect a statue of himself in "San Marco", his intention, of course, Piazza San Marco.

Now Piazza San Marco is just far, far, far too prominent a place and even Venice's Doges don't get honoured there.  It was never, never, ever going to happen.   Yet Venice still wanted his fortune and bequest.  What to do?  What to do?

Well those crafty, clever Venetians got around it by placing his statue in the campo around the Scuola Grande di San Marco.   

Colleoni's will ought to have specified his location much more precisely I am thinking.

No worries, though.  I think Bartolemeo Colleoni's fame is even greater given these circumstances and events!

More pictures of Venice including Colleoni's statue!

 











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