BASILICA DI S.MARCO

Original construction goes back to 1063 on pre-existing Basilica. Numerous modifications and rebuilding during the XI and the XVII cent.
Inside the church the remains of S. Mark are kept, that were supposedly brought from Egypt to Venice in 828.
It became the heart of religious and public life in in Venice.

Built on a centralised Greek cross from with five great cupolas topped by lanterns and crosses.

The axes are 62 x 76 metres and the largest cupola is 43 metres high.

The main façade is 52 metres long, with two orders of five arcades.
It has Gothic crowning from the XVI and XV cent. with niches, Gothic tracery and statues.
On the terrace you can see a copy of the four horses (the originals in gilded bronze can be the seen in the Museo di S.Marco) sent from Constantinople in 1204 (4th Crusade) by doge Enrico Dandolo.
The central doorway is made up of 3 concentric arches with marble reliefs.
Note the arch depicting the professions.

On the north façade (Piazzetta dei Leoncini) you can see the Daniele Manin's Tomb and the Porta dei Fiori (placed over the original construction from the XIII cent.).

On the south façade (Piazzetta S.Marco) - in front of the side entrance there are two Syrian pillars (V-VI cent.).
Next to the Porta della Carta (Pal.Ducale) one can see the TETRARCHS (also called the "4 moors"): a porphyr sculpture from the IV cent. from Syria.
On the corner of the main façade you can see the PIETRA DEL BANDO ("Proclamation Stone"):
all proclamations and sentences by the Republic were read out from here. It was split when the bell tower collapsed in 1902 but probably prevented the Basilica from being seriously damaged.

THE ATRIUM.
- floors in marble and mosaics from the XI-XII cent.
- marble and mosaics with pictures of episodes from the bible (XIII cent. Veneto-Byzantine)
- three doorways with bronze knockers
- THE WELL: square opening which opens in the vault in front of the central arch of the main door

THE INTERIOR.
Central plan in the form of a Greek cross with three naves, the central nave corresponds to the Chancel. Above the minor naves there are internal galleries ("matronei").Ceiling with cupola covered with mosaics. Floors in marble mosaics with geometrical motives.

THE MOSAICS.
The work of Byzantine and Venetian artists (XII-XIV cent.).
Were partly redone in the XVI and XVII centuries, based on drawings by Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese and others.
Everything is against a background of gold, and covers a surface of over 4000 mq.
The following are particularly noteworthy:
- The Pentacost (XII cent. - at the centre of the first cupola)
- The Passion (XIII cent. - below the internal arch of the first cross)
- Ascension (XIII cent. - central cupola)

THE CHANCEL.
Has been raised to allow room for the crypt beneath.
It is completely enclosed by marble "roodscreen" (iconostasi) with statues by Dalle Masegne (1394).
Inside the high altar are the remains of St.Mark.
Behind the altar one can see the Pala d'Oro ("Gold Altar Screen"), Byzantine and Venetian work of art from the X-XIV century in gold, enamel and precious stones.

In the left arm of the transept there is the altar of the Madonna. Here is the image of the Virgina called La MADONNA NICOPEIA, a Byzantine painting.



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