In Piazza San Marco between the Palace of the Doge and the Library is the Piazzetta (little piazza) San Marco. It is known for the two columns located there that pay homage to two of Venice's patrons - St. Mark and St. Teodoro of Amasea. The columns have long served as the official gateway to the city. Until the mid eighteenth century, the piazzetta was also an area were criminals were executed.