St. Mark's Basilica, Venice

St Mark's Basilica
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:55BasilicaSMarco.jpg
Author: MarkusMark


St. Mark's Basilica is the centerpiece of St. Mark's Square in Venice. It is officially known as the Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark or Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco.

The St. Mark's Basilica is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It has been the seat of Patriarch of Venice since 1807. Due to its immense opulence, it has been known as Chiesa d'Oro, or Church of Gold, since the 11th century.

The St. Mark's Basilica dates back to the first temporary building erected on the site in AD 828, to house relics of Mark the Evangelist which Venetian merchants had spirited from Alexandria. Four years later, the first permanent church was built on the site, at the same time as the first bell tower, or Campanile, of the church.

Interior of St Mark's Basilica
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Veneto_Venezia2_tango7174.jpg
Author: Tango7174


A rebellion that took place in AD 976 razed the church to the ground. The church rebuilt in 978 forms that basis for the present basilica, which was consecrated in 1094. It was in that year that the ruling doge, Vitale Faliero, is said to have rediscovered the body of Saint Mark, somehow hidden in a pillar.

Over the centuries St. Mark's Basilica underwent numerous alterations and embellishments. This is especially true in the 14th century, a particularly prosperous era for the Venetians, as its ships return from far-flung regions, laden with parts taken from other ancient buildings, to be added to the basilica. The result was that the exterior of the basilica was adorned with various pieces and sculpures, some pre-dating the building itself.

One of the most interesting features of St. Mark's Basilica are the Horses of Saint Mark. These sculptures of horses were taken from the Arch of Trajan, and dates from between AD 53 to AD 117. Doge Enrico Dandolo took it from the Hippodrome of Constantinople when the city was raided in the Fourth Crusade. In 1797 Napolean took them to Paris, but they were returned to Venice in 1815. Today only replicas are kept on the façade while the original copies are kept in the St Mark's Museum inside the basilica.

Across St Mark's Square it the campanile or bell tower of the basilica.

St. Mark's Basilica

If you wish to visit the basilica, please arrive early and be prepared to queue for a while. There is usually a large crowd waiting to get in.

Opening hours
Apr-Sept: 9:45am - 5:00pm Mondays - Saturdays; 2:00pm - 4:00pm Sundays;
Oct-Mar: 9:45am - 4:45pm Mondays - Saturdays; 2:00pm - 4:00pm Sundays

The St Mark's Museum is opened from 10:00am 0 4:00pm daily
Church services are conducted nine times a day.

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