Built in the 11th century, the basilica is known for its impressive Byzantine-style mosaics, domes, and grand marble columns.
It’s a must-see for anyone visiting the city and a great way to glimpse Venice’s history and culture.
The cathedral has a stunning collection of mosaics covering an area of approximately 8,000 square meters and spanning eight centuries.
The mosaics, made with paint and gold, depict stories from the Bible, allegorical figures, and life events of Jesus Christ, the Virgin Mary, St. Mark, and other saints.
They also depict stories of Venetian history and the faith, languages, motives, and trends that marked the evolution of art at that time.
Antique mosaics also decorate the entrance to the central part of the church.
Interior Mosaics
Above all, a massive mosaic of St. Mark the Evangelist, the cathedral’s patron saint, stands.
Directly below it is a picture of an 11th-century Virgin Mary in blue holding a baby Jesus.
It is the oldest mosaic in St. Mark’s Basilica.
The rest of the mosaics in the entrance date from the 12th and 13th centuries.
This is flanked on both sides by portraits of the eight apostles, each standing so that they face Mary at the center.
Further below them are the four evangelists- Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
The mosaics of St. Mark’s Basilica were initially very delicate and required constant maintenance.
Later, newer ones replaced them. These depict scenes that show current trends, artistic tastes, and religious stories.
Architecture
The cathedral is designed so that the ever-changing sunlight that comes inside is dim, creating a soft lighting effect that highlights the mosaics’ beauty.
The gold used in the mosaics was a show of wealth and prosperity to any visiting foreign dignitaries, along with a way to please God.
A thin gold leaf is sandwiched between two layers of clear glass to create each gold object.
This gave the mosaics an incredible look and made them shine differently at different times of the day.
The mosaics in St. Mark’s Basilica represent the people of Venice’s great devotion to their god and how powerful and enriched the city was.
What do the legends say?
According to legend, Venice was a wealthy city of merchants who loved to show off their wealth to other kingdoms and their devotion to Christianity.
When you visit St. Mark’s Basilica, its archaeology, magnificent beauty, and rich heritage will completely blow your mind.
If you plan to visit this amazing artifact of history, do not forget to visit at different times and embrace the enrichment of these mosaics in your soul.
Featured Image: Commons.wikimedia.org
