The Campo San Polo is the largest campo in Venice, the second largest Venetian public square after the Piazza San Marco. Originally dedicated to grazing and agriculture, in 1493 it was entirely paved.
This year a well (one of the few fountains to be found in Venice) being placed in the middle. It was subsequently used as the scene of many a bullfight, mass sermons and masked balls. After the 17th century the poor's market was moved here from Piazza San Marco. It remains to this day one of the most popular Carnival venues and is also used for open air concerts and screenings during the Venice Film Festival.
A hired assassin murdered the Florentine intellectual, Lorenzino de Medici, in the Campo San Polo in 1548. Lorenzino was hiding in Venice after he had himself assassinated his former friend, the autocratic Duke of Florence, "in defence of human liberty".
Facing the church are the following buildings:
- Church of San Polo
- Palazzo Tiepolo
- Palazzo Soranzo
- Palazzo Donà
- Palazzo Corner Mocenigo
Map of San Polo Square