Page 119 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Italy

VENICE  117

Napoleon stole some of the
Mosaics
precious stones in 1797, but the
Clothing the domes, walls and screen still gleams with pearls,
floor of the Basilica are over rubies, sapphires and amethysts.
4,000 sq m
(43,000 sq ft) of Museo Marciano
gleaming golden
mosaics. The Steps from the atrium,
earliest, dating from signposted “Loggia dei Cavalli”,
the 12th century, take you up to the church
were the work of museum, where the gallery
mosaicists from the offers a splendid view into
East. Their delicate the Basilica. The gilded bronze
techniques were horses, housed in a room at
soon adopted by the far end of the museum,
Venetian craftsmen, were stolen from the top of
. Pala d’Oro who gradually took the Hippodrome (ancient
The altarpiece, over the Basilica’s decoration, racecourse) in Constantinople
created in the combining Byzantine inspiration (modern Istanbul) in 1204, but
10th century with Western influences. During their origin, either Roman or
by medieval the 16th century, many sketches Hellenistic, remains a mystery.
goldsmiths, is made by Tintoretto, Titian, Veronese Also on show are mosaics,
up of 250 panels and other leading artists were medieval manuscripts and
like this one. reproduced in mosaic. antique tapestries.
Among the most dazzling
mosaics – many of which have Baptistry and Chapels
been heavily restored – are
those in the 13th-century The baptistry (closed to the
central Ascension Dome and public) was added by Doge
the 12th-century Pentecost Andrea Dandolo (1343–54),
Dome over the nave. who is buried here, with
Sansovino, who designed the
font. The adjoining Cappella
Pala d’Oro
Zen (also closed to the public)
Beyond the Cappella di San became a funeral chapel for
Clemente lies the entrance to Cardinal Zen in 1504 in return
the most valuable treasure of for a bequest to the State.
KEY San Marco: the Pala d’Oro. The left transept of the
This jewel-spangled altarpiece, Cappella dei Mascoli is
1 The columns of the inner façade situated behind the high decorated with scenes from
are thought to be fragments of the altar, consists of 250 enamel the life of Mary, while the third
first Basilica.
paintings on gold foil, enclosed chapel in the same transept
2 South side aisle within a gilded silver Gothic houses the icon of the
3 Baptistry frame. Originally commissioned Madonna of Nicopeia. Looted
4 Cappella Zen in Byzantium in AD 976, in 1204, it was once carried
the altarpiece was further into battle at the head of the
5 Steps to Museo Marciano embellished over the centuries. Byzantine army.
6 Atrium
7 North side aisle
8 The Porta dei Fiori, or Gate
of Flowers, is decorated with
13th-century reliefs.
9 Cappella dei Mascoli
0 The sacristy door has fine
bronze panels by Sansovino which
include portraits of himself with
Titian and Aretino.
q The Altar of the Sacrament
is decorated with mosaics of the
parables and miracles of Christ
dating from the late 12th or early
13th century.
Noah and the Flood, atrium mosaic from the 13th century

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