St Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco) with its 8000 square meters of aureate mosaics offers an exceptional sight. Its facade ripples like waves and each of its five unique portals glitter with gold and impress with stonework arches. The view is particularly unforgettable towards the end of the day when the setting sun sets the golden mosaics ablaze.
The Story of St Mark’s Basilica
How did the remain of Saint Mark get to Venice and why he became the patron of Venice? Well, this intriguing building has an equally intriguing history. In 828, two Venetian merchants sailed to Alexandria (today’s Egypt). On their journey, they visited the St Mark’s sanctuary which housed the saint’s remains since his death. The custodians of the place complained that the current Arab governor of Alexandria threatened to destroy the building and use the marble for “more suitable” purposes.
The merchants offered to save the relics by taking them to Venice. This was an honorable offer but not entirely selfless. Saint’s relics were a crucial political, economic, and diplomatic element for any city that owned them as they came hand in hand with a never-ending stream of pilgrims. Not the mention the status these merchants would earn bringing something so valuable to the city! Hence, it’s not that surprising the merchants were willing to take the risk of smuggling them through customs. They hid the saintly body in the hamper of pork fat which the deeply Islamic custom officers wouldn’t have inspected closely as their religion condemned this meet.
Consequently, upon their return to Venice, the merchants were personally welcomed by the bishop and Doge. The first basilica came into existence in that same year. Nonetheless, it was replaced by other churches until the construction of the basilica we see today, in 1060.
What to Expect?
The Basilica is built in the eclectic cosmopolitan spirit of Venetian commercial nature featuring a Greek cross layout, Byzantine domes, and walls marble-clad walls from Syria, Palestine, and Egypt. However, this incredibly pompous church only served as Doge’s private chapel until the demise of the Venetian Republic when it became the official Cathedral of Venice.
You can enter the basilica free of charge and stroll around the rope-regulated central circuit. However, the queues are long so to skip the line, book St Mark’s Basilica tour or get a skip-the-line ticket. Alsor, please beware of the St Mark’s Basilica dress code and cover your shoulders as well as knees (men and women alike). If you only wish to pray or attend one of the regular masses, enter the church via Porta dei Fiori on the north side of the Cathedral.