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About 23 miles away
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St Mark's Basilica
Venice's great Byzantine church, its domes and walls covered in more than 8,000 square meters of gold mosaics.
- Open
- Every day; afternoons only on Sundays and holidays
- Price
- Paid; book a time slot online, with extra charges for the Pala d'Oro, the museum and the terrace
- Time Needed
- 1 hour
- Address
- Piazza San Marco, 30124 VeniceDirections
- Getting There
- Water bus to San Marco or San Zaccaria.
Why Go
Built to hold the relics of St Mark, smuggled from Alexandria in 828, the present church was consecrated in 1094 and enriched with treasures from across the Mediterranean. Its golden mosaics glow when the lights come on at midday.
Behind the altar, the Pala d'Oro is a gold altarpiece set with almost 2,000 gems. Upstairs, the museum holds the original bronze horses brought from Constantinople, and the terrace looks out over the square.
Tips
- Backpacks and large bags aren't allowed; leave them at the free bag store nearby.
- Shoulders and knees must be covered.
Nearby in Venice
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