Page 87 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Venice & The Veneto

BASILIC A SA n m A r C o  85

. Pala d’Oro
The magnificent altarpiece, created
in the 10th century by medieval
goldsmiths, is made up of 250 panels
such as this one, each adorned with
enamels and precious stones.

. Ascension Dome
A mosaic of Christ in Glory decorates the
enormous central dome. This masterpiece
was created by 13th-century Venetian
craftsmen, who were strongly influenced
by the art and architecture of Byzantium.

KEY
1 The Porta dei Fiori, or Gate
of Flowers, is decorated with
13th-century reliefs.
2 The columns of the inner
façade are thought to be
fragments of the first basilica.
3 The Baptistry is also called
Chiesa dei Putti (Church of
the Cherubs).
4 South aisle
5 The Altar of the Sacrament
is surrounded by mosaics of the
parables and miracles of Christ
dating from the late 12th or
early 13th century.
6 The sacristy door (always
locked) has fine bronze panels by
Sansovino, including portraits of
himself with Titian and Aretino.
7 The Chapel of St Peter has
a 14th-century altar screen
relief of St Peter worshipped by
. Treasury
A repository for precious two Procurators.
booty from Constantinople, 8 The Altar of the Virgin has a
the Treasury also houses 10th-century icon of the Madonna
ancient Italian works of art, of Nicopeia, which came with the
such as this 12th- or 13th- spoils of war in 1204 (see p46).
century incense burner.

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