Saint Mark’s basilica is one of the most illustrious churches in the world. There are many reasons for this: religious, political and artistic. For obvious reasons, it is a destination for pilgrimages, but it is for political reasons that Venice has done everything to be identified with Saint Mark’s, and has succeeded! Venice chose Saint Mark as its patron saint, and his winged lion became the city’s emblem. This association gave Venice a sacred foundation that favored its domination. In this sense, Saint Mark’s basilica is a true symbol of the Venetian empire, and the incarnation of the Serenissima’s maritime and commercial power. It is not very surprising that it is one of the most illustrious works in the history of art, because of its combination of opulence and beauty to the unique character of an Eastern Church in the West.
This visit covers only the exterior of Saint Mark’s basilica.
A visit of the interior of the Basilica is the object of a separate audio tour, which we encourage you to take as well.