Saint Mark's Basilica
Saint Mark's Basilica is a monument made unique by both its wealth of history and the magnificence of its façade and interior. In essence, it is a splendid workshop, where, through the centuries, worked great Italian and European artists.
In the course of its history the basilica of Saint Mark played two highly important roles: palatine church, the chapel of the Ducal Palace, and from 1807, the city cathedral.
In the earlier phase the Doge was elected in the Ducal Palace and then presented to the citizens from the right hand pulpit in St. Mark's which was exclusively his. He then went into the piazza and met the people in accordance with special rites and ceremonies.
Being the state church, other official ceremonies took place in St. Mark's such as the blessing of soldiers on their way to war or the presentation of banners taken from the enemy.
St. Mark's was also a point of reference for merchants and sailors who, journeying by land and sea, enriched it with precious gifts, marbles and art treasure, all with the wish to contribute to keeping this monument great and rich as testimony of the greatness of Venice.
It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture.
It lies at the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco, adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace.
In the course of its history the basilica of Saint Mark played two highly important roles: palatine church, the chapel of the Ducal Palace, and from 1807, the city cathedral.
In the earlier phase the Doge was elected in the Ducal Palace and then presented to the citizens from the right hand pulpit in St. Mark's which was exclusively his. He then went into the piazza and met the people in accordance with special rites and ceremonies.
Being the state church, other official ceremonies took place in St. Mark's such as the blessing of soldiers on their way to war or the presentation of banners taken from the enemy.
St. Mark's was also a point of reference for merchants and sailors who, journeying by land and sea, enriched it with precious gifts, marbles and art treasure, all with the wish to contribute to keeping this monument great and rich as testimony of the greatness of Venice.
It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture.
It lies at the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco, adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace.