THE BASILICA OF SAN MARCO

An attraction that alone is worth the trip, St. Mark's Basilica is among the city's most celebrated buildings, its emblem throughout the world. An unmissable stop on the itinerary for visiting Venice, it is both a splendid place of worship and incomparable symbol of prestige and mercantile power.

It is located in the sestiere of San Marco, in the heart of the city, and is the backdrop to the world-famous square of the same name. This extraordinary masterpiece, which combines different architectural and decorative styles, attracts millions of visitors from all over every year.

The queues at the entrance, as you know, are endless, so waiting times are long. This is precisely why we recommend that you buy your tickets online.

You will get priority access and can start your visit right away

HOW TO GET TO THE BASILICA

The best thing is to go there on foot, with a nice walk with which you can already start getting to know the city. It takes more or less 30-40 minutes. If you opt for the vaporetto instead:

From Piazzale Roma take line 1 (about 40 min), 2 (about 30 min) or 5.1 (about 20 min). The last two lines are direct.

From Santa Lucia train station take line 1 (about 35 min), 2 (about 25 min) or 5.1 (about 25 min).

SOME USEFUL DIRECTIONS

To visit the basilica you must bring clothing appropriate for entering a church, so remember not to wear short shorts or miniskirts or have bare shoulders. If you have not remembered to dress appropriately you can remedy this by buying shrugs before entering.

No photos or videos can be taken inside St. Mark's Basilica.

You cannot enter the church with large bags or luggage. Don't forget this detail otherwise there is a risk of standing in a queue for nothing.

You can leave your luggage at the Ateneo San Basso in Piazzetta dei Leoncini, which is located not far from the basilica

Nearby attractions: Doge's Palace, Campanile di San Marco, Torre dell'Orologio, Rialto Bridge, Teatro La Fenice

BASILICA OF SAN MARCO - HISTORY

Construction of the chapel intended to house the remains of St. Mark was begun in 825 AD, but it was damaged during a fire during the 10th century. From 1060 the Doge Domenico Contarini ordered its renovation, which included, however, the preservation of the original layout.

The new structure had obvious borrowings from Eastern architecture. It was in fact built on the model of the Basilica of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople. Erected on a cross plan, it is surmounted by 5 round domes in turn crowned by onion domes.

For more than 500 years the doges went on to enlarge and embellish the basilica, enriching it with a large amount of treasures, the fruit of raids perpetrated during the Crusades in the Near East, especially in Constantinople.

THE FACADE

St. Mark's Basilica in Venice. Photo by Nadia Borello

The façade is stunning: it has two levels of 5 arches with a Gothic crowning and is decorated with splendid mosaics (hit by the sunset light they really leave you speechless!).

In the left archway is the oldest mosaic depicting the translation of St. Mark's body. The next one depicts the doge and the Venetian magistrates venerating the saint's body.

In the mosaics of the arches to the right of the central doorway, on the other hand, the removal of the body and the body being received by the Venetians are realized.

Above the portal is a loggia on which are placed copies of the four horses (the originals are in St. Mark's Museum). These are possibly Greek statues from the 3rd-4th centuries stolen in Constantinople.

It is possible to climb the loggia (accessed from the museum). From here the doges would look out during state ceremonies.

Other mosaics, some redone, date from 1200-1300 and cover the upper wall surfaces and domes inside. The mosaics cover a total area of about 4,000 square meters!

THE INTERIOR.

Once inside, the effect is stunning: in addition to the gold mosaics covering the walls and ceilings, the floor made of polychrome mosaic (in some places it is undulating due to the settling of the ground), made in the 12th century, is remarkable.

The chancel, the place x liturgical celebrations, is separated from the space for worshippers by a magnificent iconostasis (a marble curtain) in polychrome marble, divided in two by a large bronze and silver cross. On either side of the altar is a splendid golden altarpiece, a masterpiece in gold, enamels and precious stones.

At the end of a small aisle in the right transept, on the other hand, is the treasure of St. Mark's, containing many precious pieces, the fruit of the looting of Constantinople dating back to the Fourth Crusade.

OPENING HOURS

November through March/April (Easter): 9:45 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sundays and holidays 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.

March/April (Easter) to November: 9:45 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Sundays and holidays 2:00-5:00 p.m. (unless changed for liturgical celebrations).