St. Mark’s Basilica stands out like a gem within St. Mark’s square. This domed architecture covered with ancient mosaics is open daily to the public and is absolutely a must-see if you are visiting this gorgeous city.

St. Mark’s Basilica, or Basilica San Marco

The church you see today is the third incarnation of a church in this location. Built between 829 and 832, St. Mark’s Basilica was originally created as a sepulcher to store his body which was brought as a relic from Alexandria to Venice by Venetian merchants in 828. In 976, the original structure burned down from a fire started during a rebellion from the church.  After the fire, a second church was built on this spot. Construction began for the basilica you see today in 1063 by Doge Domenico Contarini. It was modeled after the Hagia Sophia and the Basilica of the Twelve Apostles, both from Istanbul (then Constantinople), Turkey. As of 1071, the basilica was yet unfinished. Doge Domenico Selvo ordered for the mosaics and other decorations to be added in 1071. On October 8, 1094, the basilica was consecrated by Doge Vitale Falier when St. Mark’s remains were laid in their final resting place.

The basic overall structure of the basilica is the same as when it was built in 1063. It has the plan of a Greek cross, with domes covering each end of the four ends and in the middle where they cross. The adornments, however, have changed over time. Friezes, columns, and capitals, from a variety of places were added. In 1204, Venice was heavily involved in the 4th Crusade and the conquest of Constantinople, and Venetian merchants and pilgrims brought back ancient and exotic art pieces from their travels. The majority of the art is Byzantine, Romanesque, and Venetian in style.

Today, the remains of Saint Mark are located in a marble tomb within the crypt beneath the church. The crypt is actually the remains of the very first church that was built here in 829-832.

Saint Mark the Man

Saint Mark the Evangelist is said to be the one who wrote the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament bible at around 66-70 AD. He founded the Church of Alexandria, one of the most important early sees in early Christendom.

Saint Mark’s symbol is the winged lion. As he is the patron saint of Venice, and the building of the basilica in his name as a place to store his relics is the reason you can find the winged lion all over the city. His saint day is April 25th.

St. Mark’s relics were stolen from Alexandria, Egypt by Venetian merchants in 828 AD, who brought them back to Venice. The story goes that his body was covered over with pork, which prevented the Muslim guards who were going through the merchants’ cargo from conducting a thorough investigation.

The remains were secretly kept by Doge Giustiniano Participazio, instead of turning them over to the Church of Grado, which already had claims to St. Mark. At the time, the patron saint of Venice was Saint Theodore Stratelates. Upon the doge’s death, he instructed his wife to build a chapel to house Saint Mark’s remains. She ordered the basilica to be built between the Doge’s Palace and the Chapel of Saint Theodore Stratelates.

Where is it Located?

St. Mark’s Basilica or the Basilica San Marco is located in St. Mark’s square in Venice, Italy, just north of the Doge’s Palace.