Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto (Church of St. James of Rialto), Venice

According to legend, the first church established on this site dates back to the 5th century, coinciding with the initial settlement of the island, making it the oldest church in Venice. The current structure, built for the convenience of the merchants frequenting the Rialto markets, was constructed between the 11th and 12th centuries. Significant restoration work was carried out in 1601. The church is notable for its original Gothic portico, one of the only two remaining examples in Venice, and a large 15th-century 24-hour clock adorning its facade. Interestingly, the clock's inaccuracy has been a running joke in Venice since its installation.

On the square's far side, there is a crouching stone figure known as the Gobbo (hunchback) of the Rialto. During the 16th century, this statue served as a sight for minor offenders who were required to endure a challenging run from Saint Mark's Square ("Piazza San Marco") to this square at the Rialto. Inside the church, there are Veneto-Byzantine capitals on six columns made of ancient Greek marble, which date back to the 11th century. On the exterior of the apse, there is a 12th-century inscription directed towards the merchants of the Rialto, stating, "Around this temple, let the merchant's law be just, his weights accurate, and his promises trustworthy".