Hotels to remember: Basilica di San Marco
Ruzzini Palace
Venezia (Venezia) - 4 Star Hotels
Period charm and contemporary luxury, courtesy of Venice's Hotel Ruzzini Palace
Bloom B&B
Venezia (Venezia) - Guest Houses
The charm of the bed & breakfast Bloom is created by the seductive combination of sumptuous décor, inspired by 18th century Venice, and exclusive contemporary design.
Novecento Boutique Hotel
Venezia (Venezia) - Historical Residences
Exclusive, eclectic, exotic... Novecento Boutique Hotel is Venice's most beautiful designer bolthole ever
Travel ideas
Itineraries (Venice) Itineraries
The wonder of St Mark's
Venice's most elegant drawing room, which perfectly encapsulates the history, the art, and the traditions of the city
Basilica di San Marco: introduction
Consecrated in 1094, the Basilica of San Marco functions as the Cathedral of Venice, seat of the patriarchate since 1807. The Basilica of San Marco was originally built so as to house the body of San Marco which was brought to Venice in 828. The remains of the Saint were initially kept in a chapel in the Doge's Palace, before being transferred to the church built to provide the saints perpetual resting place.
This church was subsequently destroyed by fire and rebuilt, gradually evolving over the centuries in to the Basilica which can be admired today. The Basilica of San Marco is adorned with spectacular mosaics covering the walls and vaults of the naves, and numerous examples of Byzantine and Greek marble work. Screening the alter containing the remains of San Marco is the "Pala d'Oro", one of the finest and most valuable altar screens in the world, with more than 3000 precious stones and enamel icons inlaid with gold, supported by four columns with capitals dating back to the XII century.
The façade of the Basilica of San Marco features the copies of the legendary four horses, whilst a fastigium of spires and golden domes crown the whole Basilica. Walking through the galleries one can better observe the ornate mosaics under the arches, domes and naves, which lead through to an external loggia.
