Page 117 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

VENICE  115

VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
Practical Information
Piazza San Marco. Map 7 B2–C2.
Ciborium Tel 041 270 83 11. Basilica,
The fine alabaster columns of Pala d’Oro, Loggia dei Cavalli
the altar canopy, or baldacchino, & Treasury: Open 9:45am–5pm
are adorned with scenes from Mon–Sat (Nov–Easter: from
the New Testament. 9:30am), 2–5pm Sun (Nov–Easter:
to 4pm). Museum: Open
9:45am–4:45pm daily. 5 no
sightseeing during services. &
except Sun (Basilica). 8 9 7
= ^ ∑ basilicasanmarco.it
Transport
4 San Marco.

The Building of St Mark’s
Built on a Greek cross plan and
crowned with five huge domes,
this is the third church to stand
on the site. The first, which
enshrined the body of St Mark
in the 9th century, was destroyed
by fire. The second was pulled
down in favour of a church
reflecting Venice’s growing power.
The present design was inspired
by the Church of the Apostles
in Constantinople and was
completed and decorated over
the centuries. From 1075, all ships
returning from abroad had, by law,
to bring back a precious gift to
adorn “the House of St Mark”. The
mosaics inside are mostly 12th–
13th century and cover 4,240 sq m
(45,622 sq ft). Some were later
replaced by such artists as Titian
and Tintoretto. Until 1807 St Mark’s
was the doge’s private chapel,
used for ceremonies of State, after
which it succeeded San Pietro di
Castello as the cathedral of Venice.

The Tetrarchs
This charming sculptured group
in porphyry (4th century Egyptian)
is thought to represent Diocletian,
Maximian, Valerian and Constantine.
Collectively they were the Tetrarchs,
appointed by Diocletian to help rule
the Roman Empire.
13th-century carving of a grape
harvester on the main portal

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