The Lion of Venice Roars

Digs & Discoveries January/February 2026

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Images of lions abound in Venice. The city’s iconic symbol can be seen emblazoned on brightly colored flags, decorating the Doge’s Palace, and even adorning water taxi stops. The most prominent example, though, is the huge bronze winged lion perched high atop a column in St. Mark’s Square. This legendary artwork, sometimes referred to as the Lion of Venice, or simply the Lion, has presided over the city’s bustling main piazza for at least seven centuries. It not only represents power and

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