The winged lion on the granite column that marks the edge of St. Mark’s Square is perhaps one of the most recognizable symbols of Venice, but have you ever thought about its origins?
While it’s easy to think it was “born and bred” on the lagoon, recent research suggests a more complex story, as scientific tests and stylistic comparisons show the statue was likely created far from La Serenissima, was adapted more than once, and only later took on the features that identify it with the evangelist Mark.
