St. Mark's Basilica Tours | Discover the Crown Jewel of Venice With an Expert Guide

Dome

St. Mark’s Basilica has five gigantic domes or cupolas adorned with golden mosaics. The domes are built right at the intersection point over the arms of the Basilica. They depict different scenes like The Creation in the Narthex, The Ascension in the centre of the dome, The Pentecost on the western side, The Life of Saint Leonard, Saint Nicholas, Clement and Blaise in the south, and The Life of Saint John in the north of the dome. Head to any of the galleries near St. Mark’s Museum for the best views.

Pala d'Oro

The Pala d’Oro is an exquisite altarpiece made of Byzantine enamel and adorned with thousands of pearls, jewels, and precious stones of different sizes on either side. Commissioned by the Venetians, the Pala d’Oro is recognized as one of the most precious, sophisticated, refined, and accomplished works across the world. Derived from the Latin word ‘palla’, which means cloth, Pala is usually used to cover the altar during church service after which they are replaced with gold or silver. The one at St. Mark’s Basilica is most famous and was ordered by Doge Ordelaffo Faliero from Constantinople in 1102. The Pala d’Oro was completed in 1105.

Treasury

St. Mark’s Basilica’s Treasury houses one of the most amazing collections of Byzantine portable objects made of gold, silver, glass, enamel, metals, hardstone carvings, and other precious metals procured from several sources. Most of these were brought to Venice from Constantinople between 1204 and 1261. The 283 objects in the Treasury include liturgical chalices, patens, bowls of Islamic origin, lamps, antique vases made of glass and semi-precious stones, amphorae, and western objects like Venetian filigree and perfume-brazier. The Treasury also includes gifts from the different popes, European princes, and doges.

Museo di San Marco

Also known as St. Mark’s Museum, Museo di San Marco was built in the 19th century and is home to several kinds of objects and artefacts that are of historical importance and hold significance for the Basilica. The collection includes a quadriga of St. Mark, an altarpiece by Paolo Veneziano, a 14th-century painting on wood depicting St. Mark’s life stories, several Persian carpets, a beautiful curation of liturgical vestments, illuminated manuscripts, golden tesserae, tapestries, 78 bones of different saints, broken fragments of ancient mosaics, and various other relics. The museum has also launched a website to highlight its history, artworks, and new spaces.

Tomb of St. Mark

The Basilica was constructed with the aim to house the tomb of Saint Mark. During construction, the ruins of the old buildings that existed at the site were converted to a crypt while the Basilica was built above it. The final remains of Saint Mark lie in this crypt situated below the presbytery. It is believed that Venetian merchants smuggled Saint Mark’s corpse from Egypt to Venice. The crypt was under restoration work after which it was reopened in 1889. A British historian once claimed that the remains belong to Alexander the Great and not Saint Mark. However, there is still no evidence to prove the claim. The crypt is open for tours beyond the usual opening hours.

Transept Chapels

St. Mark’s Basilica is home to several transept chapels like Cappella della Madonna dei Mascoli, Cappella di San Clemente, the Zen Chapel, Cappella della Madonna Nicopeia, Cappella di San Giovanni, and the Chapel of St. Isadore, among others. Such chapels are usually dedicated to specific saints and the Basilica boasts several of them situated in the arms that extend at either side of the main dome. Find beautiful vault mosaics depicting stories and episodes from the lives of the different saints with chapels built in their honor.

Mosaic and Marble Inlays

One of the most beautiful features of St. Mark’s Basilica is the mosaics and marble inlays. One can spend hours admiring the over 8000 square meters of mosaics that cover the walls, vaults, and domes of the Basilica. Made from ground gold, the mosaics light up the whole Basilica with a warm glow when sunlight enters the structure. They depict stories from the Bible, allegorical figures, and events from the lives of Christ, the Virgin Mary, Saint Mark, and others.

Another striking feature of St. Mark’s Basilica is the marble inlays that cover 2099 square meters of the floor. Covered in earthy tones, the marble inlays are designed in a geometric pattern and interspersed with floral and animal designs. These precious marbles came to Venice from Constantinople after the Fourth Crusade in 1204 and were used symbolically to build the Basilica based on their color and characteristics.

The Basilica Terrace

You cannot possibly miss out on the Basilica Terrace on your visit to this iconic monument. The terrace overlooks St. Mark’s Square offering stunning views of the city of Venice and its various other landmarks and important monuments. Make note of the rare tapestries, textiles, and the famous original horses of the Basilica on your way up to the terrace. The horses on the façade outside the monument are replicas. The original masterpiece is at the level of the Basilica Terrace. 

Campanile

At a height of 99 meters, the Campanile is an imposing tower with a spire that was originally a lighthouse or watchtower to aid shipping. It was first constructed in the 12th century and then transformed into what we see today in the 16th century. A belfry (which offers a bird’s eye view of the city), spire, and rotating platform with a statue of Archangel Gabriel were added during the rebuilding process. There were five bells on the Campanile, but following the collapse of the tower in 1902, only the largest of them remains. Also, notice the balcony decorated with marbles against the base of the tower.