Basilica of St. Mark

Welcome to San Mar-koh, the jewel of Venice and one of the most extraordinary religious buildings in the world. As you stand in the great Piazza, the Basilica rises before you like a dream of the Orient transported to the…

The facade of Saint Mark's is a dizzying array of artistic elements from different eras and cultures. As you look at the five deep portals, notice the columns. …

Standing proudly on the loggia above the central portal are four magnificent bronze horses. These are copies; the originals, cast in the 4th century BC and made of nearly pure copper, are kept inside the museum to protect them…

As you enter the narthex, or entrance hall, the world changes. The bright light of the square is replaced by a soft, golden glow. …

Step into the main nave, and the true meaning of the nickname 'The Golden Church' becomes clear. Over four thousand square meters of gold mosaics cover every arch, dome, and wall. …

At the far end of the nave lies the spiritual core of the Basilica. Beneath the high altar rest the bones of Saint Mark, the primary reason for the building's existence. …

Our final stop within the church is the Treasury, located in a series of thick-walled rooms off the right transept. This is where the Republic kept its most valuable liturgical objects, many of which were 'liberated' from the…

As you step back out into the light of the Piazza San Marco, the transition from the golden shadows of the interior to the bustling life of the square can be quite jarring. You have just journeyed through a space that…