St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice

A True Symbol of Venice and must-see for any visitor, St. Mark’s Basilica stands as an iconic symbol of the City of Doges.

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⚠️ St. Mark’s Basilica is extremely popular. To avoid wasting time in long lines, consider booking a skip-the-line ticket or a guided tour.

First, a Bit of History

St. Mark, Patron Saint of Venice

It might seem obvious today that St. Mark is the patron saint of Venice, but this wasn’t always the case.

Until the 9th century, Venice was under the protection of St. Theodore.

However, in 828, two Venetian merchants, Buono of Malamocco and Rustico of Torcello, stole the remains of the evangelist Mark from Alexandria and brought them back to Venice on the orders of Doge Giustiniano Participazio.

The Republic of Venice then abandoned St. Theodore and made Mark its patron saint.

The First Churches Dedicated to St. Mark

In 832, the first church dedicated to St. Mark was built on the site of the chapel of the Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale). This church was destroyed by a fire in 976 and was rebuilt in 978. However, this second building was also destroyed shortly after its construction.

St. Mark’s Basilica Since the 11th Century

The construction of the current St. Mark’s Basilica began in 1063.

At the time, Doge Domenico Contarini aimed to make the future basilica a true symbol of Venetian power, drawing inspiration from the basilicas of Constantinople, particularly the Church of the Holy Apostles. It is believed that he even enlisted Byzantine architects to design the basilica.

After many years of construction, St. Mark’s Basilica was consecrated in 1094. However, it continued to evolve over the centuries, accumulating numerous treasures and tributes from the far reaches of the East, such as the famous Horses of St. Mark adorning its sumptuous facade.

Visiting St. Mark’s Basilica: What to See and Do

The Exterior of St. Mark’s Basilica

With its monumental dimensions (76.5 meters long, 62.6 meters wide and 45 meters high / 249 ft x 203 ft x 147 ft), its five domes, and its magnificent facade adorned with mosaics and sculptures, St. Mark’s Basilica, showcasing Gothic and Byzantine styles, is truly awe-inspiring.

The facade is so richly decorated that it can be overwhelming. Among the splendid ornaments gracing the exterior of the basilica, Captain Ulysses recommends not missing:

• The Horses of St. Mark: These were brought to Venice after the sack of Constantinople in 1204 (the horses on the facade are replicas; the original bronze statues are displayed in the St. Mark’s Museum).
• The Five Portals: Each portal is topped with sculpted arches and mosaics, with the oldest dating back to the 13th century.
• The Statue of the Four Tetrarchs: This statue, representing four Roman emperors, is perched at the corner of the basilica.

The Interior of St. Mark’s Basilica

The Layout of the Basilica

Following its Byzantine models, St. Mark’s Basilica is designed in the shape of a Greek cross, with each arm topped by a dome. The central dome stands at the intersection of the four arms.

The Mosaics

The interior of the basilica is a dazzling display of gold-ground mosaics, earning it the nickname “the Golden Basilica.”

These mosaics cover a total area of 4,240 square meters / 45,639 sq ft, making St. Mark’s Basilica one of the largest mosaic collections in the world.

Most of the mosaics date back to the 13th century, although some, especially those on the facade, are more recent (from the 16th to the 18th centuries) and depict the history of Christianity.

The Marble Floor

While it’s tempting to keep your head up during your entire visit to admire the mosaics, don’t forget to look down as well!

The floor of the basilica is also a masterpiece in its own right. The pavement is a sophisticated arrangement of marble and colored stones, forming a variety of intricate patterns, some of which even create a 3D illusion.

The Ancient Columns

Inside, the basilica houses around 2,600 ancient columns of various shapes and colors, made from marble, porphyry, jasper, serpentine, and alabaster. Five hundred of these columns date back to the 3rd century.

These columns, primarily decorative, were brought back from Venetian wars and conquests, particularly in Constantinople.

The High Altar and Iconostasis

Be sure to take a look at the high altar, adorned with a canopy, and the iconostasis (which separates the nave from the sanctuary), topped with sculptures by the Italian artist Dalle Masegne.

The Pala d’Oro

Located behind the high altar, the Pala d’Oro (entrance fee required) is one of the jewels of St. Mark’s Basilica. This exceptional altarpiece, 3.45 meters wide and 1.40 meters high (9.84 ft x 3.28 ft), is a masterpiece of goldsmithing.

It is adorned with 1,927 precious stones and 80 Byzantine enamels depicting scenes from the Gospel and the Saints, arranged around the central figure of a Christ Pantocrator (Christ in glory).

Created in 976 by Byzantine artists, the Pala d’Oro was enriched and embellished over the following centuries to reach its final form in 1342.

The St. Mark’s Basilica Museum

To see the original Horses of St. Mark, head to the St. Mark’s Basilica Museum (entrance fee required). The museum also displays mosaic fragments over 700 years old.

A ticket to the museum includes access to a gallery that allows a closer view of the basilica’s mosaics, as well as a terrace offering a panoramic view of St. Mark’s Square.

The Treasure of St. Mark’s Basilica

The Treasure of St. Mark’s Basilica (entrance fee required) showcases a collection of liturgical objects, icons, ancient relics, and pieces of goldsmithing, most of which were brought back by Venetians after the sack of Constantinople.

Practical Information

Access to St. Mark’s Basilica

St. Mark’s Basilica is located in the heart of the City of Doges, on St. Mark’s Square, close to the Doge’s Palace and the lagoon.

The nearest vaporetto stations are San Zaccaria and San Marco, just a few hundred meters away.

👉 To book your vaporetto tickets, click here.

Basilica Opening Hours

The basilica is open:

• From late October to mid-April: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, and 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM on Sundays.
• From mid-April to late October: 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM on weekdays, and 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM on Sundays.

Tickets, Audioguides, and Guided Tours

Entrance to St. Mark’s Basilica costs €3 (free for prayer), but additional fees apply for access to the Pala d’Oro (€7), the museum, and the terrace (€5).

Venice is very touristy, and the queue to enter St. Mark’s Basilica is long year-round. To avoid long waits, Captain Ulysses recommends:

• either getting up early to queue before opening
• or opting for a skip-the-line ticket.

Once inside, it can be overwhelming, so Captain Ulysses advises booking in advance:

• An audioguide available in French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, and Russian.
• A combined ticket including skip-the-line access and a guided tour of the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica.

Precautions Before Visiting St. Mark’s Basilica

A proper dress code is required to enter St. Mark’s Basilica. Ensure your shoulders and legs are covered, and bring a scarf to cover up if you are wearing shorts or a tank top.

Backpacks are not allowed inside the basilica. Free lockers are available at the Ateneo San Basso, in an alley located to the right of the basilica.

👉 Skip the lines: book your tickets and tours in Venice!

Credits
Brad Hostetler – Albert – Richard Mortel – C K Leung – Dimitris Kamaras