St Mark's Basilica, St Mark's Square, Venice
St Mark’s Basilica
Venice, Italy
Originally the Doge of Venice’s private chapel, it became Venice cathedral in 1807
Activity
View the 11th century golden Basilica of Saint Mark, a status symbol of Venetian wealth and power
History
The Basilica’s structure dates back to the later part of the 11th century. The gold mosaics that now cover almost all the upper areas of the interior (covering an area of about 8000 square meters) took centuries to complete. Many of its rich artifacts and relics were plundered from Constantinople in the Fourth Crusade in 1204, including many artifacts from the Hagia Sophia.
The Basilica was a status symbol, showing everyone who visited the power of Venice and it’s wealth. It is also, appropriately, named the Church of Gold.
The Basilica has a feeling of exoticism. This comes from the variety of influences on the decoration including the Venetian style of the Renaissance Art.
THINGS TO SEE IN BASILICA SAN MARCO
PALA D’ORO
Ornate, decorated, altarpiece in the Basilica of San Marco
Pala d’Oro
The Pala d’Oro is the high altar retable of the Basilica di San Marco in Venice. It is universally recognized as one of the most refined and accomplished works of Byzantine enamel, with both front and rear sides decorated. It was first commissioned in the year 976.
Like the mosaics in the Basilica itself, the golden Pala d’Oro is covered in 1,300 pearls, 300 emeralds, 300 sapphires, 400 garnets, 100 amethysts, rubies, and topaz.
Image by: Zairon, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
St Mark’s Tomb
Where Saint Mark is said to have been buried in Basilica San Marco. The corpse was stolen and smuggled all the way from Egypt by Venetian merchants. The primary intention of building the Basilica was to house a tomb for St Mark.
Image by: original photo amberapparently from Sydney, cropped and straightened Venicescapes, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
St Mark’s Museum
View the bronze horses by Paolo Veneziano, the gold ceiling mosaic tiles, the silk and silver tapestries and take in the view of St Mark’s Square from the terrace.
Image by: Zairon, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Treasury of Basilica San Marco
A wonderful collection of precious objects such as Byzantine enamels, chalices, bowls, and more – many taken from the churches and palaces of Constantinople during the Fourth Crusade in 1204
ADMISSION
You can freely enter the Basilica for prayers, Mass and Services from the Porta dei Fiori (Piazzetta dei Leoncini – North-Side).
For tourists, see prices below.
Skip the line tours, private tours and the after hours tours can often be a great way to avoid waiting a long time to enter the Basilica while giving you access to parts you may not otherwise be able to view (see below or the tours and tickets page).
INFORMATION/TICKETS
ST MARK’S BASILICA
WATER BUS STOP
San Marco (Vallaresso) – 5 mins
San Marco Giardinetti – 5 mins
San Marco – San Zaccaria – 7 mins
WALKING FROM
Rialto Bridge, 10 minutes
Ferrovia (train station), 30 minutes
*All times approximate
OPENING TIMES
St Mark’s Basilica is open every day of the year between 9.30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
ENTRANCE FEE/TICKETS
Entrance €3.
Pala d’Oro (supplement: €5)
Museum – Loggia dei Cavalli (supplement:€7)
Reduced (0-6 yrs old) Free
Hotels Nearby
Link to: Hotel Danieli
Hotel Danieli *****
5 star luxury near St Mark’s Square
Link to: Albergo Cavalletto
Hotel Cavalletto ****
Four star hotel one minute from St Mark’s Square
Link to: Hotel Londra Palace
Londra Palace *****
Five star hotel 400 meters from the Doge’s Palace
Nearby Venice Attractions
Link to: Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace
One of the main landmarks in Venice
Link to: St Mark’s Clocktower
St Mark’s Clock Tower
The famous clock tower of St Mark’s Square
Link to: Historic Cafes
Historic Cafes
Caffè Florian & Gran Caffè Quadri
Link to: Bridge of Sighs Venice
Bridge of Sighs
One of the world’s most famous bridges
Link to: St Mark’s Basilica
Marciana Library
One of the earliest public libraries
Link to: Piazzetta di San Marco
Piazzetta San Marco
Where once the death penalty was carried out
Attractions Nearby
Link to: Doge’s Palace
Doge’s Palace
One of the main landmarks in Venice
Link to: St Mark’s Clocktower
St Mark’s Clock Tower
The famous clock tower of St Mark’s Square
Link to: Historic Cafes
Historic Cafes
Caffè Florian & Gran Caffè Quadri
Link to: Bridge of Sighs Venice
Bridge of Sighs
One of the world’s most famous bridges
B&B in San Marco
Bed & Breakfast in San Marco
Hotels in San Marco
View Hotels in San Marco
Apartments in San Marco
View Apartments in San Marco
Always double check to ensure the property is in the correct location and suitable for your requirements
Tours & Activities
All ratings November 2023. E&EO
Doge’s Palace & St. Mark’s Basilica with Terrace Access Tour
Venice: Highlights Tour, St. Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace
Venice: Basilica, Doge’s Palace, Bridge of Sighs Guided Tour
Doge’s Palace & St Mark’s Basilica Skip-the-Line Tour
Doge’s Palace and St Mark’s Tour with Gondola Ride
St. Mark’s Basilica After Hours: 1.5-Hour Tour
Secret Itineraries of Doge’s Palace VIP Tour
Venice: Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Private Tour
ST MARK’S SQUARE MAP
With Visitor Attractions Place Markers
VENICE ATTRACTIONS
Things to See & Do in Venice
San Marco Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: San Marco
St Mark’s Square
St Mark’s Basilica
St Mark’s Clocktower
St Mark’s Campanile
Doge’s Palace
Piazzetta Di San Marco
Historic Cafes
Museo Correr
Marciana Library
National Archaeological Museum
Olivetti Museum
Bridge Of Sighs
Church Of Santo Stefano
Church Of San Salvatore
Church Of San Moise
Palazzo Grassi
Palazzo Contarini Del Bovolo
Palace Gardens
Music Museum
La Fenice
Harry’s Bar
Fortuny Palace
Fondaco Tedeschi
Santa Croce Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: Santa Croce
Natural History Museum
Papadopoli Gardens
Church Of San Nicola Da Tolentino
San Stae Church
Palazzo Mocenigo
San Giacomo Dell’Orio
Ca’ Pesaro
Cannaregio Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: Cannaregio
Ca D’oro
Campo Dei Mori
Casino Di Venezia
Chiesa Degli Scalzi
Color Library
Madonna Dell’Orto
Marco Polo House
Oratorio Dei Crociferi
Wagner Museum
Venice Ghetto
Santi Apostoli
Scuola Grande Della Misericordia
Santa Maria Dei Miracoli
San Polo Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: San Polo
Rialto Bridge
Rialto Markets
Campo San Polo
Church Of San Polo
Scuola Grande Di San Rocco
San Giacomo Di Rialto
Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari
Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista
Castello Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: Castello
Aqua Alta Bookshop
Scuola Grande Di San Marco
Basilica Dei Santi Giovanni E Paolo
Church Of San Zaccaria
Marinaressa Gardens
Naval Museum
Venice Arsenale
Palazzo Grimani
Riva Degli Schiavoni
Riva Dei Sette Martiri
San Francesco Della Vigna
San Giovanni In Bragora
Santa Maria Della Pieta
Biennale & Giardini
Querini Stampalia
Dorsoduro Attractions
For an overview of the area view the main page: Dorsoduro
Ca’ Rezzonico
Fondamenta Delle Zattere
Gallerie Dell Accademia
Palazzo Cini
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Ponte Dei Pugni
Punta Della Dogana
San Barnaba
San Pantalon
San Sebastiano
Santa Maria Della Salute
Scuola Grande Dei Carmini
Giudecca
Venice Lagoon Islands
For an overview of the area view the main page: Venice Lagoon Islands
Murano
Burano
La Vignole
Lido Di Venezia
Mazzorbo
San Francesco Del Deserto
San Lazzaro degli Armeni
San Servolo
Sant’Erasmo
San Michele
Lazzaretto Nuovo
Torcello
Chioggia