Everything you need to know about Saint Mark’s Basilica Venice

History of St. Mark's Basilica

The story of St. Mark's Basilica is a fascinating one. In 828 AD, two Venetian merchants traveled to Alexandria on business. While there, they visited St. Mark’s sanctuary, which housed the saint’s body since his death. The sanctuary’s custodians revealed that the governor of Alexandria planned to demolish the site, prompting the merchants to ‘rescue’ St. Mark’s remains and bring them to Venice. They cleverly concealed the body in wicker baskets under pork meat, which, being considered haram in the Islamic state, allowed them to pass through the port without inspection.

Though they escaped the guards, they encountered a severe storm at sea. Miraculously, they survived and credited their safety to St. Mark himself.

Once they reached Venice, the relic was temporarily housed in a chapel within the Doge’s Palace for two years. In 832, a grand basilica was built near the palace to enshrine the relic, but this structure was destroyed in a fire during an uprising in 976. It was later rebuilt by Doge Domenico Cantarini, and by 1071, the basilica had regained its former glory. It has remained a symbol of magnificent grandeur ever since.

Be sure to notice the Mosaic of Porta di Sant'Alipio, the only surviving 13th-century mosaic on the basilica's exterior, which depicts this very story.

North and South Façade

The South Façade, facing the water, was enclosed until 1503 and was originally used only for ceremonial purposes. It is adorned with mosaics and sculptures, making it a striking sight from the Grand Canal. Here, you can find a 13th-century Byzantine mosaic of the Virgin Mary between two griffins in the first arch. This side of the Basilica also features the Tetrarchs, a 4th-century statue made of red granite depicting four co-emperors of the Roman Empire, brought to Venice from Constantinople.

The North Façade, which faces the Piazzetta dei Leoncini, is home to the "Door of Flowers," also known as the Porta dei Fiori. This beautifully ornate doorway is framed by angels, foliage, and prophets. You’ll also find a painting of Alexander the Great’s chariot and an 8th-century depiction of the nativity scene with Mary, Joseph, and two oxen protectively watching over baby Jesus. Additionally, there is a carving of 12 lambs, representing the Apostles, flanking each side of the facade.

Exterior

The main entrance of St. Mark’s Basilica is located on its western facade, and its ornamental exterior is captivating at first glance. From here, you can admire the towering marble columns, domes, and intricate gold gilded carvings. The columns, each unique in color and pattern, decorate all four facades of the Basilica.

The Central Portal, made up of three arches, showcases the evolution of the Basilica’s architecture through the centuries. The innermost arch, from the Byzantine era, features intricate reliefs of foliage. The middle arch, representing the Gothic and Romanesque periods, illustrates allegories of the months and virtues. The outermost arch is adorned with carvings representing Venice’s guilds. A stunning mosaic of The Last Judgement is displayed on the outer arch, offering a vivid and colorful depiction of this biblical scene.

Interior

St. Mark’s Basilica is designed in the shape of a Greek cross and features stunning marble inlays on the floor, arranged in intricate geometric patterns and animal motifs. The interior is adorned with an astonishing 8,000 square meters of gilded mosaics covering the walls and ceilings—a surface area large enough to cover more than one and a half American football fields! The atrium is decorated with mosaic depictions of biblical scenes, featuring stories of the Virgin Mary, St. Mark, St. Clement, St. Peter, and St. John. The Basilica is supported by over 500 columns and capitals, most of which are Byzantine and date back to the 6th century.

Dome

St. Mark’s Basilica boasts five domes, all situated at the intersections of the Greek cross layout. Together, they span an area of 4,240 square meters. Each dome is 13 meters in diameter and contains 16 windows. These domes are richly adorned with golden mosaics, earning the basilica the nickname "Basilica d'Oro," or "Golden Basilica." The majority of these mosaics date back to the 1160s, with the oldest located above the choir. Each dome tells a specific story: The Creation (in the Narthex), The Pentecost (Western dome), The Ascension (Central dome), The Life of Saint John (Northern dome), and The Life of Saints Leonard, Nicholas, Clement, and Blaise (Southern dome). The best vantage point for viewing these magnificent domes is from the galleries near the museum.

Transept Chapels

Transept Chapels Along the arms of the dome, several chapels are dedicated to different saints, each more exquisite than the last. Some of the most noteworthy include the Cappella della Madonna dei Máscoli, built in the 15th century, featuring a Gothic altar sculpture and intricate mosaic inlays. The Cappella di Sant'Isidoro is adorned with 14th-century mosaics and contains a sculpted stone coffin embedded in the wall, housing the remains of the saint. The Cappella della Madonna Nicopeia showcases the priceless Byzantine icon of the Madonna Nicopeia, adorned with precious stones in a delicate enamel frame. Lastly, the Cappella di San Clemente, once the Doge’s private chapel, is decorated with 12th-century mosaics. These are just a few of the many chapels within the Basilica, and a guided tour will offer deeper insights into their unique history and significance.

Pala d'Oro

The Pala d’Oro, meaning "Golden Cloth," is a masterpiece of Byzantine art, adorned with an astonishing 1,927 precious gems. This includes 526 pearls, 330 garnets, 320 emeralds, 255 sapphires, 183 amethysts, 175 agates, 75 rubies, 34 topazes, 16 carnelians, and 13 jaspers, all set among gold, silver, and cloisonné enamel plaques. This jewel-encrusted altarpiece depicts scenes from the life of Christ and took 366 years to reach its present form. If you enter St. Mark’s Basilica with a free ticket, you’ll need to purchase a separate ticket to view the Pala d’Oro.

Museo di San Marco

To reach the Museo di San Marco, head up the stairs from the Basilica's porch. The museum showcases an incredible collection, including liturgical objects, Persian carpets, fragments of mosaics (look out for the Tree of Jesse), golden tesserae, 78 relics of saints, and other treasures. A highlight of the museum is the Sala dei Banchetti, which displays luxurious fabrics and the Doge’s red velvet throne. The museum's most famous treasure is the Quadriga, four gilded bronze horses, often referred to as the Horses of San Marco. According to legend, these horses were stolen from Constantinople in 1204 and later displayed on the Loggia terrace, where Venetians marveled at them.

Treasury

The Treasury houses an extraordinary collection of precious artifacts, many of which were looted by the Venetians from Constantinople in 1204, alongside exquisite pieces created by ancient Venetian craftsmen. This series of rooms is one of the richest and most significant parts of the Basilica, displaying 283 gold and silver objects, along with many other fascinating treasures. Some highlights to look out for include crystal fish-shaped lamps, a cloisonné gold and silver box containing pieces of the True Cross, amphorae carved from a single block of agate, alabaster vases from Egypt dating to 300 BC, a perfume brazier in the shape of a small building with five cupolas, the throne of Doge Pietro Orseolo, St. George’s reliquary, a Byzantine icon of Archangel Michael, and a collection of medieval chalices made from precious stones like sardonyx, turquoise, enamel, and chalcedony.

Marble Inlays

The Basilica’s floor is a stunning mosaic of marble inlays, covering over 2,099 square meters. Designed in intricate geometric patterns, these inlays are predominantly earth-toned, with occasional animal and floral designs. You may even spot tiny pieces of glass embedded between the marble. As you explore, keep an eye out for depictions of foxes, peacocks, doves, roosters, and even a rhinoceros. This makes for a fun scavenger hunt for kids while you take in the Basilica’s rich history.

Tomb of St. Mark

The crypt, where St. Mark's body is believed to rest, is a special part of the Basilica that can be visited during tours outside regular hours. It is thought that this crypt was originally part of the first church built to safeguard St. Mark’s remains after they were brought from Alexandria. When the new Basilica was constructed above the original church, the burial site was transformed into a crypt, now a highly sought-after site for visitors. The crypt is beautifully adorned with mosaics, illuminated by soft lighting, while the walls show signs of erosion from centuries of flooding. Today, it continues to serve as a burial ground for the Patriarchs of Venice.