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Basilica di San Marco, Venice

4.4

#3 of 196 in Historic Sites in Venice

Architectural Building Landmark Must See

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Renowned worldwide for its priceless treasures, Basilica di San Marco is one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Italy. Originally a private chapel for the doges, the city's chief magistrates, this building has been a cathedral only since 1807. Because of its opulent design, gold dome mosaics, and its status as a symbol of the city's wealth and power, the cathedral has been nicknamed the Church of Gold since the 11th century. The interior is based on a Greek cross, with iconic Byzantine onion-bulb domes and Egyptian marble walls. Behind the main altar, containing the sarcophagus of St. Mark, an altarpiece is adorned with hundreds of emeralds, sapphires, rubies, pearls, and amethysts. The front of the building is rippled with five niched portals, each capped with more elaborate mosaics and stone arches. The church also contains a museum, displaying bronze horses brought here in 1204 as part of the loot from Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade. You can enter the church for free, but the museum has an admission fee. Put Basilica di San Marco at the forefront of your travel plans using our Venice visit planning site .

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Basilica di San Marco Reviews

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28,181 reviews

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4.7

3 likes

• By questtraveler01

  Not our first time seeing this church. Venice is one of our favorite cities. How fortunate we were to be at this incredible Basilica for Christmas Eve midnight mass. It was crowded but not so bad.....  more »

• By WaitForIttttt

  My husband and I visited Basilica di San Marco while visiting Venice for the first time, and it was so clear why it is a must-see! Its Italo-Byzantine architecture looks both exotic and grand in its....  more »

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