A Masterpiece of Art and Faith
Discover the different sections of St Mark's Basilica, from the glittering mosaics to the precious treasures housed within its walls.
The Mosaics
The upper order of the interior is completely covered with bright mosaics containing gold, bronze, and the greatest variety of stones. The surface covered is about 8000 m2. The most ancient mosaics are those of the apse (Christ Pantocrator, 1060) and of the entrance (Apostles). The others were made in the following centuries by Venetian masters.
The Floor
The floor is a marble carpet spreading over 2099 square meters. It is a geometric opus sectile and opus tessellatum work, with animal and floral motifs. The floor shows the influence of Byzantine and Western art, and it has been constantly restored over the centuries.
The Presbytery
The presbytery is separated from the nave by a Gothic iconostasis (1394) in red Verona marble, surmounted by a Crucifix and statues of the 12 Apostles. Behind the high altar stands the Pala d'Oro, a masterpiece of Byzantine gold and enamel work.
The Treasury
The Treasury contains a unique collection of Byzantine metalwork, enamels, and hardstone vessels, most of which were looted from Constantinople in 1204. It is located in the rooms connecting the Basilica to the Doge's Palace.
St Mark's Museum
The museum houses the original Bronze Horses (Quadriga), tapestries, fragments of ancient mosaics, and other works of art. It offers a close-up view of the ceiling mosaics and access to the Loggia dei Cavalli.
The Bell Tower
The Campanile of St Mark's stands 98.6 meters tall. The current tower is a 1912 reconstruction of the original, which collapsed in 1902. It offers a panoramic view of Venice and the lagoon.