St Mark’s Basilica Venice

Magnificent And Magical The Overall Impression

St Marks Church and Doges Palace meet at the Piazzetta. It is a magical place where lions fly and pigeons walk, as Jean Cocteau once described it. From the courtyard of the Doges Palace, the famous giant staircase leads to the upper floor. The domes of St Marks Church rise above a decorative clock. An overwhelming picture!

The tower of the Campanile appears like an obelisk over St Marks Square.

The cathedral clearly shows the representative will of a city intending to impose against the Byzantine emperor, the Pope and the old powers of Europe.

In the early evening, the cathedral unfolds its enchanting splendour.

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What to Do in Venice: Next to the basilica, you’ll want to explore the Doge’s Palace and then see all the other attractions in Piazza San Marco. And along with exploring the city, don’t forget that there are interesting things to see and do on day trips from Venice. Our page on where to stay in Venice can suggest more hotels in every price range.

Where to Go from Venice: You can take a direct train to visit romantic Verona, one of the best places to visit in Italy. Between Venice and Verona, you can also stop to visit the shrine of St. Anthony, the villas of Andrea Palladio and the other attractions in Padua.

St Peters Basilica Mosaics

There are over eight thousand square meters worth of mosaic covering the interior of the Basilica, including the five domes. You could spend hours just looking at the ceilings.

The artwork tells stories from the Holy Bible, myths and local legends, episodes from Virgin Mary and Jesus life and most of, all St. Marks.

The contrast between the bright ceilings and darker marble floors actually represents the contrast between life in heaven and life on earth.

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Why You Should Visit St Mark’s Basilica

• St. Marks Basilica is the center of public and religious life in Venice and is one of the most important temples in the city.
• Visit the basilica to get an insight into the historical aspect since it was the place where the Dukes of Venice were consecrated.
• Witness how the basilica is the fruit of different architectural styles after undergoing restructuring through the years and still being able to preserve its oriental aspects.
• Explore the intriguing combination of architectural and artistic styles.
• Admire its gleaming golden Byzantine mosaics that adorn the churchs main portal.
• It is a testimony to the power of the Serene Republic of Venice and its inhabitants in the Mediterranean as merchants and conquerors.

And It Was The Evangelist Marcus Church

According to the tradition two Venetian merchants allegedly abducted St Mark of Egypt to Venice in 828, hiding him among salt pork halves. On a pillar on the right of the main altar, this scene is shown. Around this relic, the church grew over the centuries.

Today, it combines an impressive mix of Byzantine, Romanesque and Gothic styles. Strangely enough, St Marks Basilica did not become the episcopal church of Venice until 1807. Until then, this had been San Pietro di, Castello.

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Way N : Make Reservations Via The Official Website

This is the official website of St. Marks Basilica. Between 1 April and 2 November each year, you can book your St. Marks Basilica tickets there. Its the most budget friendly option as it costs justâ¬3. Children up to 5 years old go in for free, but must be added to your reservation. You dont even have to print the voucher just show the confirmation you get via email. Reservations can be made up to 10 minutes before the intended time of the visit.

St Marks Basilica: The Pala Doro

One of the richest pieces of goldwork in the world. Formerly this splendid altarpiece was only exhibited during major religious ceremonies. The Pala has now been moved so that visitors can observe it without getting in the way of religious services.

Purchase online at a cost of 6.00 per person a ticket to get privileged access to St. Marks Basilica and avoid the long line.

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St Marks Cathedral Entrance Fees And Guided Tours

The admission to the Basilica di San Marco is free.

Art and culture enthusiasts are may be interested in guided tours or paid visits to Campanile bell tower, the Pala dOro , the St Marks Museum or the Treasury.

Everything else included in St. Marks Cathedral admission. As an example of a guided tour in English, there is the following booking option.

The Campanile of Venice is the original bell tower of St. Marks Basilica. Its height is almost 100 meters, making it the tallest building in Venice. After a varied history, the imposing building is now seen as the landmark of the city. The bell tower of the Campanile can be accessed with a lift and offers visitors a fantastic view over Venice and the lagoon with shipping activities.

Show Up Very Earlyor Late

We have stopped by Piazza San Marco at least a couple dozen times at this point, often when walking from one corner of Venice to another, and without a doubt, our favorite times to be in the square are after 8:00 PM and shortly after dawn.

Not only will you be able to avoid the worst of the crowds that way, but the temperatures tend to be better, too!

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Exploring The Golden Picture Book Of St Marks Cathedral Discovering History

St Marks Basilica was completed in 1073 replacing the original church of the Doges Palace. According to the Byzantine model, the church was planned as a central building on Greek cross with five domes and vestibules. It may be the most beautiful church in the world. Thus, a city like Venice, which unfortunately cannot prove any ancient lead, resorted to artistic means in order to make its main church appear a little older.

Those who are bothered by the tourist crowds should know: The St Marks Cathedral has always served for purely mundane purposes. Finally, the cathedral was the palace chapel of the Doge. Here the Doge was praised by his choice for centuries. At this point, valuable loot, which had been snatched from the Muslims on the high seas, was also housed. Yes, even robbed relief plates and columns. Most of the statues, reliefs and capitals the church are decorated inside and out with, came to Venice from the Levant as booty.

St. Marks Basilica was once Venices best-kept vault.

Opening Hours Of St Marks Basilica

Here you will find a brief overview of the opening hours of St Marks Basilica.

For more information regarding the access times, including the Campanile, the famous freestanding bell tower of the Basilica di San Marco, the Pala dOro , the St. Marks Museum and the Treasury there is a separate article St. Marks Cathedral opening hours.

Access to St Marks Basilica is possible all-year.

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The Pala Doro Puts The Crown Jewels To Shame

Forget the glittering gems at the Tower of London: The Royal Family has nothing on St. Marks Basilica! The Pala dOro, a Byzantine altar screen of gold, is studded with hundreds of gems literally. They include 1,300 pearls, 300 emeralds, 300 sapphires, 400 garnets, 100 amethysts, plus rubies and topazes.

The Pala dOro, a Byzantine altar screen of gold

St Peters Basilica Terrace

Lastly, the terrace overlooking St. Marks Square is also worth a visit. On your way up, youll see a display of rare tapestries and precious textiles, and the original horses of St. Marks Basilica.

The ones you see in the facade outside are replicas to preserve the real masterpiece! Look out over the city of Venice, and maybe even catch a glimpse of some Venice hidden gems from above.

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Mass Schedule At St Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark Basilica Weekly Mass Timings Monday-Friday-Porta dei Fiori: 7:00 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays – Porta dei Fiori: 7:00 a.m.-7:45 p.m.

St. Mark’s Basilica Daily Mass Timings 7:00 am 8:00 am 9:00 am – 10:00 am – . 10:30 am – 11:00 am 12:00 – Sundays only 5:30pm – Sundays Only 6:45 pm – This mass is often sung by foreign choirs passing through Venice.

Campanile Di San Marco

St. Marks Campanile is the bell tower of St. Mark’s Basilica. Standing 99 metres high on Piazza San Marco., it is easily one of the most popular symbols in the city. The tower has a very simple structure with a square shaft made from flute brick and topped with a pyramidal spire at the top. You can purchase a ticket and go all the way up on a lift to witness aerial panoramas of Venice and the lagoons.

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How Much Time To Budget For Your Visit

Short Answer: 60 minutes

If youre the kind of person who just likes to get a feel for a monument, then 60 minutes is perfect without delving in too deep. If you prefer going into the specifics to really get to know your way around the church, then you should set aside 1.5-2 hours, especially if youre going to include the museum. There are some stairs to climb up to the 2nd floor, but nothing too intense.

How To Get To St Marks Basilica

St. Marks Basilica is located right in St. Marks Square or Piazza San Marco. It is probably one of the most iconic piazzas in the world. St. Marks Basilica is very central, so follow the signs for San Marco and youll easily find it.

Most likely you will be arriving from the direction of the train station, which means youll first cross the square and then just look to your left. Its impossible to miss. Here are some walking times from Venices other popular sights:

• 30-minute walk from Santa Lucia Train Station
• 1-minute walk from the Doges Palace
• 10-minute walk from Rialto Bridge
• 40-minute walk and boat taxi from Murano Island

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best Venice tours to take and why.

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Overall Impression Of St Marks Basilica

The Basilica di San Marco is certainly the richest and largest church in the city, but is the cathedral also the most beautiful? This judgment can only be made by visitors of the cathedral after they have visited it.

But nevertheless, the Basilica di San Marco is still one of the most beautiful, medieval buildings on earth. The whole magnificence of St. Marks Church is already evident on the outer facade when directing the view from the floor into the sky from St Marks Square.

When visiting the enormous interior, many visitors are amazed forever. Gold, silver, marble, mosaics and impressive church paintings decorate the walls of the basilica and make the place something unique. Fantastic!

Soak In The Views From Campanile San Marco

For one of the most iconic views of Venice, head directly up the Campanile San Marco!

From here, youll have a fantastic view of the Doges Palace, St. Marks Basilica, the Venetian Lagoon, the most famous square in Venice, and more from above.

And, unlike most tower views in Italy, this one comes with little-to-no exertion: rather than climbing hundreds of stairs to the top, you simply take an elevator to the top.

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The History Of St Marks Basilica

For almost 1,000 years, St. Marks Basilica has been the main church in Venice. As with anything that has been around for hundreds of years, theres an interesting history and sometimes unbelievable facts about the place. Heres a brief history of the church, but for more details read more astounding facts about St. Marks Basilica.

Where To Eat Nearby

If you are visiting St. Marks Basilica around meal time, its important to plan out where you want to eat. You may want to reserve a table if youre having a fancy meal. Otherwise, walk-ins are welcome in Venice. Here are a few suggestions, but for more options check out our article on the best places to eat near St. Marks Square.

Cantina Canaletto: | Outdoor SeatingA streetside restaurant a 4 minutes walk from Saint Marks square, is in fact located in the neighborhood of Castello. This place is a true gem, offering simple but highly qualitative dishes from all of the 20 regions in Italy, for a reasonable price.

Antico Martini: | Long HistoryThis historic restaurant has been welcoming guests from all over the world since 1720. Specialties in this restaurant include the black truffle pasta and the celery and coriander fish soup.

La Caravella: | Lovely Garden SettingJust a 5-minute walk from St. Marks Square, youll find all the Italian classics but refined to the next level here.

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There Is Enough Mosaic To Cover 15 American Football Fields

There are more than 85,000 square feet of mosaic in St. Marks Basilica or enough mosaic to cover over 1.5 American football fields! The mosaics were done over 8 centuries, mostly in gold, and the result is astonishing. Enter the basilica at different times of day to see how the light makes the colors, and scenes, look different.

Just one of the dozens of mosaics in St. Marks Basilica

How Much Is The Entrance Fee To St Marks Basilica

St Marks Basilica can be visited free of charge. However, you have to pay for the adjacent Saint Marks Museum, the Golden Altar, and the Treasury for the fantastic view from the free-standing bell tower of St. Marks Basilica. To go up to St Marks Campanile, there are normal tickets and the possibility to book tickets without queuing.

Here is a list of the current admission prices:

Convenient also in connection with the Doges Palace, which is right next to it and is also one of Venices must-see sights

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Because The Terrain In Venice Is Fragile Large Structures Cannot Be Built

Instead, compact, light, and flexible materials must be utilized. But the Venetians wanted to leave an impression on their visitors, so they devised some really ingenious tactics to fool the eye and give everyone the appearance that the structures are massive and intimidating. The basilica managed to achieve this with great effect, as the five large domes that give St. Marks Basilica its unique form are actually only a superstructure built of wood covered with a thin covering of lead.

They are totally empty: the domes with all the mosaics visible within the church are significantly lower than those you see from the outside.

The south-west corner of St Marks Basilica in Venice, Italy original photo Gary Ullah from UK, crop Venicescapes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Exclusive Access St Marks Basilica Night Tour With Underground Crypts

In this exclusive access tour, youll go on a night tour of St. Marks Basilica that includes a visit to the underground cryptsaid to be the home of the bones of St. Mark himself. Your group will be the only one in the basilica after closing, so youll get a privileged experience of the Church of Gold, its Golden Altarpiece, and the underground crypts with a knowledgeable local guide.

Not ready to book a tour? Check out our article on the best Venice tours to take and why.

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That Bell Tower It Collapsed Once

The 323-foot campanile of St. Marks dates back to the 9th century but it had to be rebuilt in 1903. The reason? It collapsed! It had been reworked in the 16th century, and apparently not that well.

It collapsed on July 14, 1902. . Although it buried the Basilicas balcony in rubble, fortunately, the church itself was saved. But the incident was embarrassing enough!

From 1903 to 1912, the bell tower was rebuilt exactly as it had been except with better, safer techniques.

The belltower of St. Marks Basilica towers high above the square

Ok we mentioned six, but since were on a roll, here are more fascinating insights:

In 2019 A Big Acqua Alta Completely Flooded The Church

In the Venetian Lagoon there are tides: sometimes these tides go higher than normal and as a result some parts of the city get flooded. The St. Marks square is the lowest part of the city, so its pretty common to see its floor partially or totally submerged in water.

But in November 12, 2019, things went completely out of control: the tide rose so high that it reached the second highest level ever recorded in the history of the city. The custodians of the church were unprepared for this event: the water not only flooded the antechamber of the basilica, which is at the same level of the square, but also the church itself, which is much higher.

The damage was substantial and the building is still recovering: at least this tragic event gave a big push to the completion of the MOSE project, a system of mobile barriers meant to protect the Lagoon from the most dangerous tides. The barriers were tested a couple of times in 2020 and apparently they worked fine: we all hope they will be able to protect the basilica in the future.

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