Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
teriouslywithgoldmosaicsandcoloredmarble.Sinceabout
A.D.
830,thesaint'sboneshave
been housed on this site.
Cost and Hours:
Basilica entry is free, three interior sights charge admission (see be-
low),openMon-Sat9:45-17:00,Sun14:00-17:00(Sununtil16:00Nov-March),interiorbril-
liantly lit daily 11:30-12:30, St. Mark's Square, vaporetto: San Marco or San Zaccaria. No
photos are allowed inside. Tel. 041-270-8311,
www.basilicasanmarco.it
.
Three separate exhibits within the church charge admission: the
Treasury
(€3, includes
free audioguide),
Golden Altarpiece
(€2), and
San Marco Museum
(€5). The San Marco
Museum has the original bronze horses (copies of these overlook the square), a balcony of-
fering a remarkable view over St. Mark's Square, and various works related to the church.
Dress Code:
Modest dress (no bare knees or bare shoulders) is strictly enforced, even
for kids. Shorts are OK if they cover the knees.
BagCheck(andSkippingtheLine):
Smallpursesandshoulder-slungbagsareallowed
inside, but larger bags and backpacks are not. Check them for free for up to one hour at the
nearby church called Ateneo San Basso, 30 yards to the left of the basilica, down narrow
you check small bags that would be allowed inside.
Those with a bag to check actually get to skip the line, as do their companions (up to
three or so). Leave your bag at Ateneo San Basso and pick up your claim tag. Take your tag
tothebasilica'stouristentrance.Keeptotheleftoftherailingwherethelineformsandshow
your tag to the gatekeeper. He'll let you in, ahead of the line. After touring the church, come
back and pick up your bag.
Theft Alert:
St. Mark's Basilica is the most dangerous place in Venice for pickpocket-
ing—inside, it's always a crowded jostle.
Tours:
Free, hour-long English
tours
(heavy on the mosaics' religious symbolism) are
offered many days at 11:00 (meet in atrium, schedule varies, see schedule board). You can
(See “St. Mark's Basilica” map,
here
.)
Visiting the Basilica:
St. Mark's Basilica has 4,750 square yards of Byzantine mosaics,
though many were designed by artists from the Italian Renaissance and later. Start outside
in the square, far enough back to take in the whole facade. Then zero in on the details. The
mosaic over the far left door shows the theft of
St. Mark's relics
that put Venice on the
pilgrimage map.
The best and oldest mosaics are in the atrium (turn right as you enter and stop under the
last dome). Facing the piazza, look domeward for the story of
Noah, the ark, and the
