Page 419 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

VENICE  417

. Pala d’Oro VISITORS’ CHECKLIST
The greatest treasure of
St. Mark’s is kept behind Practical Information
the high altar. The Piazza San Marco.
magnificent altarpiece, Tel 041-241 38 17.
created originally in the Open Apr–Nov: 9:45am–5pm
10th century, is made Mon–Sat, 2–5pm Sun; Dec–Mar:
up of 250 gold panels, 9:45am–5pm Mon–Sat, 2–4pm
adorned with enamels Sun. Sightseeing limited during
and precious stones. services. 8 & 7 A strict dress
code applies in the church.
Transport
4 San Marco.

. Treasury
This contains many treasures
looted from Constantinople
by the Venetians in 1204. This
11th-century silver-gilt reliquary is
in the shape of a domed basilica.

KEY
1 The central arch features
13th-century carvings of the Labours
of the Months.
2 The atrium, or narthex, contains
many fine mosaics, notably those
of the Genesis Cupola showing
the Creation.
3 The Ascension Dome features
a magnificent 13th-century mosaic
of Christ surrounded by angels, the
12 Apostles, and the Virgin Mary.
4 The altar canopy, or baldacchino,
has alabaster columns carved with
New Testament scenes.
5 St. Mark’s body, thought to
have been lost in the fire of 976,
The Tetrarchs reappeared when the new church
This porphyry sculptural group was consecrated in 1094. The
(4th-century Egyptian) may remains are housed below the altar.
represent Diocletian, Maximian,
Constantius, and Valerian – 6 Allegorical mosaics decorate
the floor of the south transept.
the four joint rulers of the
Roman Empire c.AD 300, 7 Baptistry
known as the tetrarchs.

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