Whenever you come into the heart of Venice, you won’t be able to miss the striking façade of St Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), known affectionately by locals as the Chiesa d’Oro (Church of Gold). With its dazzling golden spires, it towers over St Mark’s Square, a spectacular piece of Byzantine architecture and one of Venice’s most iconic and best loved sights with its walls ornately adored with sculptures, reliefs and mosaics.
Around the central doorway that leads you into the church you can see the beautiful Romanesque carvings that give the building so much of its special character. The middle arch is adorned with allegorical figures representing the months of the year and signs of the zodiac, whilst around the outer arches you’ll spot reliefs depicting traditional Venetian trades. The portal to the left of the doorway is marked by a mosaic depicting the remains of St Mark which were stolen from Alexandria to be relocated here in 828.
The church’s oldest mosaics can be found find through the bronze doors that lead into the narthex (vestibule). These depict scenes from the Old Testament, whilst in the Greek cross-shaped central space of the basilica you’ll feast your eyes upon 8000 square metres of mosaics inlaid with 24 carat gold covering the walls. Among the scenes are images of the Apostles with the Madonna next to the main door as well as the Ascension in the central dome.
Towards the back of the church, you’ll find the most precious treasures it houses: the Pala d’Oro (Golden Altar Panel) which contains the remains of St Mark. Studded with precious stones and inlaid with saints’ iconography, it is an awe-inspiring piece of art.
Head to the treasury where you’ll find pieces looted by the Venetians during their medieval crusades to Constantinople. Relics commemorating different saints as well as what is reputed to be a lock of the Virgin Mary’s hair are to be found here.
Open daily through the week, with reduced opening hours on Sunday, St Mark’s Basilica is free to enter—you will however have to pay a small fee to access some areas like the treasury. Guided tours are available every day except Sundays and national holidays throughout the summer months.
