St Mark's Basilica

Byzantine architectural masterpiece glittering with gold

Step into the past with a visit to Saint Mark’s Basilica (“Basilica di San Marco”). The magnificent church sits proud on the eastern end of St Mark’s Square, just metres from the Grand Canal (“Canal Grande”). 

The church was built in 832 CE and still stands today as it would have back then. Historically, the church was the Doge’s (the ruler of Venice’s) private chapel. It’s also the burial place of St. Mark’s remains. Today, it’s still an active church but also open to the public. 

It’s a remarkable sight to behold both from the outside and the inside. The façade is adorned with marble and mosaic, designed in the Byzantine style.  

While the exterior is breathtaking, the interior is unlike anything else. Ornate gold mosaics cover more than 8,000 square metres (86,111 square feet) of the surfaces, from floor to ceiling. They depict Bible stories, allegorical figures, and events from Christ’s life. 

Every inch of the building oozes luxury and opulence. 

You could also access the upper level and look out over St Mark’s Square (“Piazza San Marco”) from above. Up here, you can get a close-up view of the church’s iconic bronze horse statues. The statues have a rich history in their own right, having been looted from Constantinople in 1204. 

We recommend booking a ticket in advance if you’d like to visit the church, as it’s a very popular attraction. Please note that shoulders and knees must be covered when you’re in the church.