The cult temple in the classical Byzantine style (very uncharacteristic for Western Europe), adorning St. Mark's Square. Until the beginning of the XIX century, the cathedral served as the royal chapel, where the rulers of the Doges were crowned. The relics of the Apostle Mark are stored here, which were brought back to Venice in the X century after the next Crusade. The cathedral began to be erected in the 11th century, but the work was completed only by the end of the 15th century.
Address:
Piazza San Marco, 328, Venezia
Phone:
+39 041 270 8311
Comment
07.09.23
alok
Beautiful, world famous cathedral at St. Marks Square. A small nominal fee , Great gold gilded decorations. Excellent display of art and Beautiful architecture.
07.09.23
Nima
Wow!
The best place to see in the island. Fabulous paintings and statues on the Basilica. From top to bottom, all covered by different art. White background with many designs and colors over with many angles. Such a spiritual place! Also, attached t.. Read more »o St. Mark’s Square and Doge's Palace.
Strongly recommended!
03.09.23
Adrian
Looks beautiful inside however there is an extra 5 euro charge to walk through the back of the church area getting a better view of some of the art. Also there is a 7 euro charge to go to the museum. It would have been nice to include everything as a.. Read more » bundle fee as opposed to paying when you get there.
Still a very impressive basilica and probably a must see in Venice so just keep in mind the extra costs if you plan on seeing everything here.
I also recommend picking up tickets earlier which will help save you some time when entering
19.08.23
Jamila
A very beautiful basilica indeed! I’ve enjoyed the appearance of the exterior and interior the most. I would highly recommend buying tickets online to skip the line. I wouldn’t miss the roof, as it gave a beautiful view of the Piazza San .. Read more »Marco.
13.08.23
vartan
One of the main places to visit when in Venice. I would highly recommend showing up early in the morning during peak season (summer time), to make sure you don’t need to wait in a long queue. I arrived 45 mins before the doors opened, and was t.. Read more »he first in line. Tickets are very inexpensive, which are mainly a donation to the Basilica, and the view from the second floor outdoor area gives an amazing view of the entire Square!
13.08.23
Martin
Beautiful and unique given it remained his original style. The floor is one of its kind and the 8.000m^2 of gold glass mosaics covering the ceiling are something you won’t see anywhere else. Would come again. Crowded. The 5€ to pay the alt.. Read more »ar are worth it as it’s a particular beautiful piece of art.
17.07.23
Kelvin
NOTE: women must wear a long dress or trousers to get in. Short skirts or shorts will be turned away as well as exposed shoulders.
PRICES: 3€ to get in , additional 5€ to see the golden jewel slab, 7€ to get upstairs to see the horses.. Read more »
Impressive! Most of the artwork at the basilica is mosaic!!! They have some really old choral books in the museum. The view from above is impressive. The whole thing is beautiful!
16.07.23
Bryan
Gorgeous church with a beautiful interior. Lines get long quick but move relatively quickly. Fee to enter the basilica, fee to see the gold alter piece in the apse, fee to see the upstairs/museum/rooftop so come prepared to shell out $$$. But I think.. Read more » they are all worth it especially the upper level/museum/rooftop. Free Rick Steves audio tour really opened the place up.
14.07.23
Htamber
This was my second time visiting the church, and I have to say it left me speechless again. It’s definitely one of the best architectural designs in the world. It really shows you how smart the venetians were back then. Inside the church all th.. Read more »e artwork is made up of small mosaic tiles. I believe maybe billions of them were used. It’s 1000 years old so when you walk inside you feel the history. If you visit Venice and don’t go here you’re making a mistake. Hire a guide because they do explain the history, and it makes the world of a difference. Love it, even though it was my second time. I can’t wait to go back. Buy your tickets in advance with a guide. I used the app called get your guide.
03.07.23
C
Massive! I don't know how else to describe it. A work of art dedicated to Saint Mark. His remains are buried here. Come and see the amazing detailed exterior of the building, and the exquisite hand of art on the interior of the building
My favor.. Read more »ite hands down, St. Mark's horses! Stunning!
09.06.23
Stella
Very beautiful church. Line is not that long most of the time (had to wait 30 minutes) and tickets are 3€ for each person. It’s free for children under 6 years old. However you can pay an additional 3€ per person to skip the line so y.. Read more »ou would pay 6€ per person and 3€ for children under 6. Very cool place and one of the most famous monuments in Venice.
27.05.23
Ryan
To preface, I visited in 2016 and it was with a tour group- so, I got to see most of the basilica and did not have to deal with any queues or weird pricing. As far as the basilica itself: stunning!! So much impressive craftsmanship in the building, a.. Read more »nd the artwork is awe inspiring. I did not go to the top towers, but even through some of the windows there were very impressive views. Of course it was crowded, like most similar areas, but I remember having a great experience because it was not enough to pull me out of the beauty. We even got to see some lower levels and a cell somewhere in the basement I believe. If I were to visit Venice again with my wife I would surely take her here!
29.04.23
George
Saint Mark's Basilica is one of the most iconic and historically significant landmarks in Venice, Italy. As a Google Local Guide, I had the opportunity to visit and explore this incredible building and its surroundings.
Located in the heart of .. Read more »Venice's main square, Saint Mark's Basilica is a stunning example of Byzantine architecture, with its intricate mosaics and golden domes. Its construction began in the 9th century, and over the centuries, it has been expanded and embellished, resulting in the magnificent structure that we see today.
Visitors to the basilica can admire the stunning interior, which is adorned with mosaics that date back to the 11th century. These intricate designs cover the walls, arches, and domes of the building, and they depict scenes from the life of Christ, as well as images of saints and angels.
In addition to the basilica itself, visitors can also explore the Piazza San Marco, which is home to several other important landmarks, including the Doge's Palace and the Campanile di San Marco. The square is always bustling with activity, and it's a great place to people-watch and take in the sights and sounds of this incredible city.
Overall, a visit to Saint Mark's Basilica is an absolute must for anyone visiting Venice. With its stunning architecture, incredible history, and beautiful surroundings, it's a truly unforgettable experience. As a Google Local Guide, I highly recommend this attraction to anyone who wants to explore the rich culture and history of this incredible city.
25.03.23
Johnny
This is my top 1 tourist place to go in Venice .Beautiful architecture it’s is absolutely flawless. I went on a tour and I loved the history of the Basilica. I recommend to buy tickets in advance to get in front of the line instead of waiting i.. Read more »n the long line like I did. Very beautiful inside too. Tickets are 3€ and kids under 6 are free. Thank you for reading
25.03.23
Natasha
Stunning! This Basilica is so gorgeous! Such stunning architecture, and a very peaceful atmosphere inside. There was a very long queue to get in however we only waited 20-30 mins as the line does move quickly. You can pay for a fast track however thi.. Read more »s seems like it is 4 times the price of entry so we didn’t think it was worth it. The entry fee is a mere €3, however you do have to pay an additional fee to go into the other parts of the cathedral. We paid an extra €7 to go to the balcony on top. It had amazing views of St Marks Square and as it was a sunny day, it was very relaxing. You seem to be able to sit there as long as you want so we definitely feel it’s worth while on a sunny day. All the signs are also written in English which is very helpful. It would be better if you could book a slot, instead of waiting outside.
28.12.22
Anton
This Basilica is gorgeous and I would recommend going in. It is possible to go in for free if you want to stand in a long queue or you can pay a few euros to skip the line. You should note that several areas inside require further payment to see. Lik.. Read more »e going up. But what you can see in the ”main” area is still fantastic.
21.08.22
P
Arguably the most favourite building in Venice, it is always packed. So I joined a night tour and was glad that I did because it gave access to some off limited areas. It was also great that only 2 other groups were there at the same time. So I could.. Read more » really pay attention and learn about the history about the basilica. What a beautiful place. I still can't believe I was walking in it. (July 2022)
05.08.22
nure
One of the popular place in Venice!!! The largest square in Venice.
It’s a very crowded tourist attraction but still I loved being here. The popular St. Mark’s Basilica and the very iconic bell tower stand in this place. The other dominan.. Read more »t building here is the Doge’s Palace.
All the buildings are very pretty. You need to stand in the middle of this square to really get the feel of the wonderful architecture around you. It’s a very lively and happy place (at least that’s the way I felt being here). Full of activity, iconic buildings and cheerful tourists.
It’s a great place to spend a few hours. There are quite a lot of restaurants, cafes and shops here which are nice but expensive (as is the case near any main tourist attraction).
30.07.22
Orlando
A truly stunning example of a mix of Gothic, Romanesque, and Byzantine architecture. Almost a 1000 years old and this structure will still leave you in awe of the mosaic craftsmanship, shimmering gold down from every angle possible. A true gem of Ven.. Read more »ice, of Italy, and of the human race as a whole. An absolute must visit for those lucky to visit this beautiful city.
05.07.22
Moniruzzaman
This is the largest square in Venice.
It’s a very crowded tourist attraction but still I loved being here. The popular St. Mark’s Basilica and the very iconic bell tower stand in this place. The other dominant building here is the Doge&rs.. Read more »quo;s Palace.
All the buildings are very pretty. You need to stand in the middle of this square to really get the feel of the wonderful architecture around you. It’s a very lively and happy place (at least that’s the way I felt being here). Full of activity, iconic buildings and cheerful tourists.
It’s a great place to spend a few hours. There are quite a lot of restaurants, cafes and shops here which are nice but expensive (as is the case near any main tourist attraction).
09.06.22
PRINCE
Awesome ? The architecture is very unique. The millions of tiny stones used to make the many many mosaics are mind boggling. It was a bit tricky tacking picks do to how dark it was. I would recommend a low resolution camera. Other than that just enjo.. Read more »y the beautiful sights. Oh and do your self a flavor and read up on the buildings history first.
23.05.22
Alex
One of the most amazing buildings I’ve ever seen. So much gold, but in a good way. The mosaics are incredible, on the ceilings, on the floors, everywhere. It’s definitely worthwhile to pay extra to go to the museum so you can go on the ro.. Read more »of & get a closeup view of the mosaics.
22.04.22
Sanal
St Marks square is one of the most happening places in Venice. This was one of our last destinations in our Europe tour. It was calming and relaxing to wind up our vacation. They have some wonderful seafood places near by. This basilica is one of the.. Read more » oldest 9th century AD architecture. The mosaics glow different shades at different times of the day. The reason is they are made of actual gold. One interesting fact about the basilica is the outer dome that you see from outside is not real. Since Venice cannot build massive structures they constructed a light weight lead composite dome to give the grand visuals. Once you step inside you will notice the roof to be much lower. Right after we left Venice there was a major flood which flooded the whole square including the inside of the church. You should never miss this one if you are in Venice.
04.04.22
Konstantinos
After waiting for almost 2 hours in the queue under the sun along with hundreds of people and just before reaching the entrance one of their staff just closed the gate and told us "today special day we close at 15:30" while pointing at an A.. Read more »4 print next to the entrance. They could have printed and posted this on different spots along the queue but they didn't, they could have also have one person from their staff walk along the huge queue telling people that today the Basilica will be closing earlier than usual so hundreds of tourists didn't have to waste their time waiting under the sun. Instead they chose to treat tourists like animals instead, a great experience will definitely come back for more.
14.03.22
Amrit
It's nice, but don't expect that the €3 entry will get you all the way through, to go to the chapel it's another €7 and to go to the balcony it's €5, so just be warned, if you're only going for the view, go to .. Read more »the bell tower opposite 360 views of the city. Also the decor is also under renovations so some parts don't look as they would have, some look a little odd next to other original artwork
11.03.22
Kim
The facade was under renovations when I visited. I initially booked a tour but due to stuff ups, we ended up entering by ourselves. Entry was only €3, but there is another section to the inner area that requires another payment of €5. Despi.. Read more »te parts being renovated/fixed/closed off.. I really enjoyed the beautiful artwork within. The murals were so beautiful and I was also a huge fan of the tiles and sculptures. I’m not sure about the extra €5 fee to view the inner parts. I think paying the €3 initial entry fee was the best value €3 I ever spent… Queue was extremely long and busy in the morning so I visited in the late afternoon (2.30pm) and the queue were not as long. It also moved really fast.
13.01.22
Szilvia
The place itself is gorgeous, but under renovation. To get in, its 3€ and most of the church is blocked off, including the seats and all of the side rooms. The entrance fee just lets you walk around the main room. If you want to go up to the tow.. Read more »er its another 5€ and the museum is also an additional cost. I walked through it fairly quick as there was not much to see, and there was a big crowd the whole way
13.12.21
Baron
Absolutely breath taking. Treasures like these are what gets me into a cramped airplane. The architecture is very unique. The millions of tiny stones used to make the many many mosaics are mind boggling. It was a bit tricky tacking picks do to how da.. Read more »rk it was. I would recommend a low resolution camera. Other than that just enjoy the beautiful sights. Oh and do your self a flavor and read up on the buildings history first. Makes it more interesting when you go in more knowledgeable than everyone else
10.11.21
Paul
Obviously another must visit when you are this part of Venice! A beautiful church to take in and behold. The artwork in this place is incredible and breath taking to say the least. Well worth it!! Apparently there was no charge to visit, but be awar.. Read more »e there is now a minimal 3 Euro fee per person. Once inside there are separate exhibits and a museum for a more in depth look which are charged for a fee too.
30.09.21
J
One of the most important tourist sites in Venice is St. Mark's Basilica, whose ornate Byzantine-inspired façade and domes overlook Piazza San Marco, St. Mark's Square. The building itself is a work of art, with a mix .. Read more »of architectural styles heavily influenced by the Byzantine Empire, showing Venice's long trade connections to the East.
Highlights of the vast interior are the brilliant mosaics that line its domes and vaults, and the high altar covered in gold and jewels. The Treasury contains more glittering gold and jewels.
For an unforgettable view of St. Mark's Square, the tall campanile and the clock tower, climb to the porch to stand among the iconic horses.
Next to the basilica is the Doge's Palace, also filled with priceless masterpieces of Italian art.
22.09.21
Mark
This place is very special. In the square at night you can hear any number of orchestra’s playing music that was written today and hundreds of years ago. My wife and I were standing, listening to an orchestra play and as the music swept over us.. Read more » we just started dancing… right there. There is a uniqueness that captures you in this place. It wasn’t long before others were doing the same thing. Which just goes to show you that everyone is ready to dance, they just may need a little encouragement. We are hopeless romantics and Venice… well, Venice is Venice. A few days earlier we were in the Vatican and I took a picture of the Pope, hundreds of years ago, in the exact same spot I was standing in front of St. Mark’s. History is living and breathing from the very stones you stand on. Not hidden behind velvet ropes… every step you take has history attached to it.
29.07.21
Arup
Venice is a dream destination that’s made up of more than 118 islands. It’s filled with stunning canals, art, and architecture that are sure to capture your heart as you explore renowned sites like Saint Mark’s Basilica, Doge&r.. Read more »squo;s Palace, and the Rialto Bridge and market. The only pedestrian-only city in the world, you’ll have to rely on your feet or a boat to experience the captivating atmosphere in Venice.
06.06.21
Manny
Wow what a beautiful architecture. St Mark's Basilica is one of the famous Basilica, not only in Venice but in the whole world. This church has a lot of historical significance. The construction of this church started in 828. It was made to hous.. Read more »e the body of ST. Mark, The Apostle brought from Alexandria to who they named protector of the city of Venice. The present Basilica represent Byzantine Style of Architecture . This church is one of the most important religious temple in the city of Venice and one of the top tourist attraction. Really very beautiful and worth visiting if you're in Venice.
12.03.21
Lex
Probably the N. 1 tourist spot in Venice would be the San Marco Basilica and Square. Enjoy the view of this beautiful marvel of Itallo-Byzantine architecture. The admission to the basilica is free, but you should consider to make a reservation online.. Read more » (for 1,50 Eur) for the queue can take up 5 hours otherwise. Don't forget that you are in one of the most touristy spots in the world.
Connected to the cathedral, you will find the Campanile of St. Mark, a beautiful Romanesque tower providing you unusual views of the town and the whole lagoon. The admission fee is 8 EUR.
03.01.21
Navneet
Nice place with lots of architecture. Very busy. Lots of pigeons which makes very pleasant memories. You can either walk to this place having beautiful view of Venice or can take boat to reach. I preferred walking , you don’t wanna miss Venice .. Read more »streets and shops.
16.08.20
Vinh
The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark (Italian: Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco), commonly known as St Mark's Basilica (Italian: Basilica di San Marco; Venetian: Baxéłega de San Marco), is the cathedral church of t.. Read more »he Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, northern Italy. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture. It lies at the eastern end of the Piazza San Marco, adjacent and connected to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the chapel of the Doge, and has been the city's cathedral only since 1807, when it became the seat of the Patriarch of Venice, archbishop of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice, formerly at San Pietro di Castello.
The eastern arm has a raised presbytery with a crypt beneath. The presbytery is separated by an altar screen formed by eight red marble columns crowned with a high Crucifix and statues by Pier Paolo and Jacobello Dalle Masegne, masterpiece of Gothic sculpture (late 14th century). Behind the screen, marble banisters with Sansovino's bronze statues of the Evangelists and Paliari's of the Four Doctors mark the access to the high altar, which contains St Mark's relics. Above the high altar is a canopy (“ciborium”) on columns decorated with fine reliefs. The altarpiece is the famous Pala d'Oro, a masterpiece of Byzantine craftsmanship, originally designed for an antependium. This masterpiece incorporates 1,300 pearls, 300 sapphires, 300 emeralds, and 400 garnets. They are all original and highly polished, unfaceted gems. The original altar frontal is now in the treasury. The choir stalls are embellished with inlay by Fra Sebastiano Schiavone, and above them on both sides are three reliefs by Sansovino.
Excerpt from Wikipedia
06.08.20
Ben
5 euro entry. It’s an informative little museum trip with a little balcony to get up on to and the original quadriga of horses are inside which are impressive. The mosaic display is pretty lazily done though.
01.08.20
Tanja
Very interesting church with rich exterior. Fascinating story about horses that are positioned above the main entrance and do not fit into the whole image of the church. They have a history much longer than the church and were brought to Venice by se.. Read more »a from far away countries.
31.07.20
Shermin
Wow, its breathtaking. It is very popular destination and crowded but still worth the visit.the architecture its something I have never seen before.
Once in a lifetime experience
27.07.20
Daan
While it was a bummer that the church was closed for maintenance, but the museum, which was open, left a lot to be desired. It was simply a collection of pieces from the church with a date next to it. The view from the balcony was nice, but not worth.. Read more » the money, and we even paid the reduced fee. The view into the church was nice
24.07.20
Ishan
The Basilica is one of the most popular sights in Venice, basilica from outside and inside is amazing.
It's 2 minute walk from Saint Mark's Square.
It's a must watch if you ever visit Venice.
Visited this place few years back and came .. Read more »across many people dressed up and wearing mask which was amazing to see.
Hope to visit this historical beauty again in near future.
26.06.20
Kat
Beautiful basilica. We were not allowed to take photos inside but it’s still an excellent place to visit. It’s open during the week. Come early. There’s always a queue outside. Arrive early to avoid the crowds.
4.8 / 94
