If you’re lucky enough to visit the incredible city of Venice, you’ll definitely need to check out St. Mark’s Basilica.
It’s been standing since the 9th century, and it’s one of the most amazing structures you’ll ever see – it even has a legend behind it.
Apparently, the relics of St. Mark were pilfered from Alexandria, Egypt, and concealed by some Venetian merchants, who then built a crypt for them.
Since then, the building has been through a lot – it even burned down once!
Nowadays, St. Mark’s Basilica is a popular tourist attraction packed full of secrets and surprises.
Does St. Mark’s Basilica exist in its original form?
No, the first St. Mark’s Basilica was made inside the Doge’s Palace, but it got destroyed by a revolution against Doge Pietro in 928.
After that, Domenico Contarini built a new version, and Doge Vitale Faliero celebrated its completion in 1094.
What’s the series of transformations of St Mark’s Basilica?
Back in the ninth century, Venetian traders smuggled something amazing out of Alexandria, Egypt, and it was St. Mark’s Basilica.
Unfortunately, an uprising caused the first basilica to be destroyed in 928, but the people of Venice kept going and built the church we know and love today.
It wasn’t always a cathedral, though; when it was first built, it only served as the Doge’s Palace Chapel.
It wasn’t until 1807 that an official decree changed the church to a cathedral, which caught Napoleon’s attention, and he rewarded it with the rank of the city’s cathedral.
St. Mark’s Basilica has also seen changes to its architecture since it first opened, giving it more character and making it even more awesome!
Why is this Basilica called Chiese d’Oro?
Chiesa d’Oro translates to “Church of Gold,” and it’s a grand and beautiful building covered in precious mosaics and gold!
It’s like a palace for the Venetian nobility, all decorated with amazing pictures.
If you ever get to go, you’ll be amazed by the beauty!
Which are the prominent areas the golden mosaics cover?
St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice is an 11th-century basilica known for its impressive Byzantine-style mosaics, domes, and grand marble columns.
It has a collection of mosaics covering an area of 8,000 square meters over eight centuries and depicting stories from the Bible, Venetian history, and other allegorical figures.
St. Mark the Evangelist, flanked by eight apostles and four evangelists, is the main mosaic.
Carefully controlling the sunlight and using gold leaf between two glass layers enhances the mosaics.
Legend has it that Venice was a wealthy merchant city that showed off its devotion to Christianity through its architecture and riches.
Follow this link to learn more in depth about the St. Mark’s Basilica Mosaics.
Featured Image: Ngv.vic.gov.au
