Things You Can't Miss at St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice

When planning a travel itinerarywith things to see and do in Venice, three activities always come to mind: a visit to the Doge’s Palace, a gondola ride along the Grand Canal, and a tour of the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica. This impressive basilica is an important part of the city’s religious tradition and history; therefore, I recommend setting aside a few hours to discover all its secrets guided by the following list.

The current appearance of St. Mark’s Basilica is the result of renovations and reconstructions carried out in the 15th century. Due to its complex and intricate history, this Venetian monument combines several easily distinguishable architectural styles on its façade, with Byzantine Romanesque and Gothic styles predominating.

At the top, large pointed arches of Eastern influence stand out, decorated with ceramic tiles characteristic of the Venetian Flourished Gothic style. Statues of numerous saints have been placed atop the arches, and the statue of St. Mark himself occupies the place of honor in the center.

Unlike other major structures of its time, the basilica’s façade is wider than it is tall; horizontality predominates in its design as a way to balance the weight and distribute the loads evenly across the sandy ground on which it was built. Although the most famous façade is the one facing St. Mark’s Square, the basilica has three named façades: the west façade, the north façade, and the south façade.

As you begin your tour inside St. Mark’s, you’ll notice the intricate details that make up its decoration; this is especially evident in the mosaics adorning the lunettes or small entrance vaults.

Pay special attention to the only entirely original mosaic in the Basilica, located in the Sant'Alipio portal. It dates from the 13th century and best represents the ancient church of San Marco before the addition of the ornate Gothic-style overlays that stand out most prominently on the main façade. The other mosaics in San Marco are actually the result of various restorations carried out between the 17th and 19th centuries.

The beautiful floors of St. Mark’s are another distinctive feature to look out for on your tour; they consist of geometric patterns and animal designs depicting lions, eagles, griffins, deer, peacocks, and other creatures from medieval bestiaries with immense symbolic power.

The variety of intricate designs is achieved by combining a wide range of colored limestones, serpentine, and marbles; the materials originate from various regions, including Greece, Syria, Africa, Istria, Tuscany, Verona, and the Alps. The large floor tiles of St. Mark’s are strategically placed to emphasize the chapel’s longitudinal axis, positioned beneath the central dome and the western dome.

Perhaps the most striking feature of the interior of St. Mark’s Basilica is its golden mosaics, which earned it the name “Golden Basilica.” The golden mosaics cover the interior almost entirely, from the walls to the vaults and domes. Thanks to their arrangement, they shimmer in every direction, creating a fantastic interior composition. Amidst this sea of golden pieces, you’ll find depictions of biblical episodes, the life of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and the Apostle Saint Mark.

The space dedicated to the High Altar in St. Mark’s is slightly elevated from the rest of the church; it is situated between ribbed vaults and four columns covered with sculptures that may have come from the fall of Constantinople. The remains of the Apostle St. Mark have rested beneath the altar since the 18th century, though they had to be removed due to the flooding that affects the entire St. Mark’s Square and the surrounding buildings.

Pala d’Oro: located at the back of the altar; a dazzling panel decorated with metals and precious stones, commissioned in Constantinople in 1102, it is considered one of the greatest treasures inside St. Mark’s. It depicts religious scenes and figures of saints in miniature, and according to documents from 1769, this masterpiece is composed of: 1,300 pearls, 400 garnets, 300 sapphires, 90 amethysts, 15 rubies, and 4 topazes, in addition to metals such as gold and silver.

The Treasure of St. Mark is the name given to the collection of liturgical objects used in celebrations. The collection includes some 283 pieces made of gold, silver, and various precious materials of high value and diverse origins. The objects are mostly liturgical chalices, cups, and patens; crafted in the Byzantine goldsmithing tradition and adorned with all kinds of gemstones.

The relics of St. Mark are kept in the ancient halls connecting the church to the Doge’s Palace, and the most significant pieces are usually displayed on the altar of St. Mark; so during your visit to the Basilica, pay attention to these details. Some pieces are loaned out for display in temporary exhibitions at the world’s most important museums.

According to historical records of the 283 pieces that make up the collection, part of it consists of loot taken from Constantinople between 1204 and 1261. The collection is divided into four major groups or sections: ancient and medieval objects, Byzantine art, Islamic art, and Western art.

The Museum of St. Mark was established in the late 19th century; it is located on the inner terraces of the basilica and serves as the space where relics of Byzantine sacred art are preserved.

The collection includes a series of interesting objects of high historical value, such as ancient personal rugs, liturgical vestments, manuscripts, and old mosaic fragments removed during various restorations throughout the 19th century. It is said that in the past the collection of objects was much larger, but due to various events such as fires and thefts, it has gradually diminished.

Following Venice’s participation in the Fourth Crusade, various treasures were taken from Constantinople; the sculpture of the horses, located in the hippodrome of the fallen city, is part of the spoils taken by the Venetians. Made entirely of copper with additions of mercury, it depicts a quadriga of strong and imposing horses with spectacular detail.

The exact date of the work has not been established; while some date from the Greek era, others are clearly Roman. Experts in antiquities place it between the 2nd century BC and the 2nd century AD. It is known for being the only sculpture of its kind rescued from antiquity.

Another interesting fact is that in the 19th century, Emperor Napoleon had the imposing sculpture transported to Paris to create a replica. Currently, the quadriga of horses displayed on the façade of St. Mark’s Basilica is also a replica of the original, which is properly safeguarded and protected inside the church.

Among the treasures looted by the Venetians during the Crusades in Constantinople, you’ll find various artifacts and priceless treasures placed throughout the basilica. Near the Porta della Carta, one of the main attractions of the Doge’s Palace, I Tetrarchi can be found encircling a pillar.

Carved from red porphyry, it stands 136 cm tall. Although the sculpture is associated with the Roman Tetrarchs, the truth is that there is no definitive consensus on the matter; evidence suggests that the sculptures may be much older and were perhaps taken from Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations.

The Venetians named them the Four Thieves, and they were placed to guard the outer wall of the Treasury of St. Mark’s; they serve in part as a warning to any ill-intentioned person who might seek to desecrate the precious treasures inside the basilica.

The Acritan columns is the name given to the pair of columns originating from the ancient, fallen city of Acre. Placed on the south side of St. Mark’s Basilica, they hold an extremely interesting historical context. Acre was a very ancient city located in what is now Israel. These territories were highly coveted by the Venetian lords, but also by the Genoese. After violent clashes between the two maritime powers, the Venetians emerged victorious.

Following their victory, they destroyed the Church of San Giovanni d’Acri, removed the two beautifully decorated columns, and placed them outside St. Mark’s as a warning to their enemies.

When visiting St. Mark’s Basilica, keep in mind certain details that will help you save time and effort; add the following important points to your list of tips for exploring Venice.

If you want to avoid lines…

St. Mark’s Basilica is amongVenice’s topmonuments, and as one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions, there are always lines at the entrance. The only easy way to avoid this inconvenience is to book a guided tour in advance; however, groups available in Spanish may be limited, so it’s best and most advisable to book your tours well in advance.

Dress appropriately…

On the day of your visit to St. Mark’s, keep in mind that you will be visiting a religious monument; it is important to behave respectfully and adhere to the prescribed dress code. Appropriate attire consists of long pants or skirts with shoulders covered for both men and women. This applies equally to other Venetian churches.

Keep the visiting conditions in mind…

St. Mark’s Basilica has a capacity limit of 200 people, with an average tour duration inside of about 30 minutes. During peak tourist seasons in Venice, the tour duration may be shortened by a few minutes.

You must behave respectfully and quietly, mindful of the sacred nature of the place. Suitcases and travel bags are not allowed inside the basilica; there is a dedicated luggage storage area at the Ateneo San Basso; access to this area is through an alleyway to the left of the basilica.