St Mark’s Basilica

Before you stands the “mamma” of all religious buildings in Venice. In search of prestige, the Doges wanted an elegant place to store significant relics. In 828, two Venetian merchants found the evangelist Saint Mark’s body hidden under pig carcasses in Alexandria, Egypt. No church, however, was deemed worthy enough to house the body once he was brought back. This led to the building of the first St. Mark’s Church, in around 830. However, in 976, a devastating fire destroyed the place of worship, along with the Doge’s Palace. Starting from scratch, a second church was built and consecrated in 978. It was the Doges’ private chapel until 1797, and it wasn’t until 1807 that it became the city’s basilica. But its appearance is just as fascinating as its history. At first glance, you are awe-struck. A rare example of Byzantine architecture, its five domes are arranged in a Greek cross layout, and immediately grab our attention. As Venice grew wealthier and more powerful, the basilica was renovated and embellished. Its countless sculptures from various eras, ancient columns, and mosaics perfectly reflect Venice’s grandeur and prosperity. As you step inside, the wonder continues as you face a burst of colour and gold. If you think the outside mosaics are fascinating, wait until you see those from the 13th and 14th centuries, covering more than 4,000 square metres of the interior. The church’s biblical decor shows a wealth built up over the course of centuries. Entry to the basilica is free, but you have to pay for the Marciana Museum inside. For a small fee, you’ll see the original four bronze horses of Saint Mark, brought from Constantinople to adorn this iconic religious site, and many other treasures.