At the centre is the basilica of San Marco, drawn narrower and taller than in reality. Canaletto also narrowed the proportions of the Campanile, the belltower of San Marco, to prevent it dominating the composition. To the right, in shadow and steep perspective, are the offices of the Procuratie Nuove, and to the left the Procuratie Vecchie, with the shadow of the Campanile identifying the time as just before noon.