St Mark's Renaissance-era palazzo opens to public for first time

The Procuratie Vecchie building (left) at St Mark's square in Venice. The ancient building, whose arched façade runs the full length of the square’s north-west side, remains the iconic headquarters of Italian insurance giant Generali and will also play host to its new social foundation, The Human Safety Net. Photos: Tiziana Fabi/AFP

For centuries the impressive arcades flanking St Mark's Square in Venice have embodied the watery city's elegance, harmony and architectural significance.

Now, the Renaissance-era palazzo whose galleries span as far as the eye can see on the north side of the square is opening to the public for the first time on Apr 8, following a three-year renovation.