%20(10).png?w=auto&h=400)
Saint Mark's Basilica Tickets Overview
Discover The St Mark's Basilica Venice
The gold mosaics at St Mark's Basilica Venice is one of the most eye-catching attractions here as it covers over 8000 sq meters in all. There are five domes in the church supported by massive pillars and beautiful gold mosaics cover these domes giving the church a golden hue. These mosaics date back to 1160 to 1200 and the mosaics above the choir are the oldest and the galleries near the museum offer the best views of these mosaics.
Also Read: St. Mark's Basilica Facts
St Mark's Basilica has a rich collection of sculptures belonging to different origins, epochs and types and most of these sculptures have been brought from far off places as trophies. In 1204 after the conquest of Constantinople four horses, an icon of the Madonna Nicopeia, enamels of the Golden Altar-piece and many other relics were added to the Basilica.
Must Check: Skip the Line at St. Mark' Basilica
A large number of tourists visit the famous Pala d'Oro which is kept behind the high altar of the Church. Besides this, there is one more Pala which is equally beautiful and as precious as the first one. The less known ones were painted by Paolo Veneziano back in 1345 and both these Pala d'Oro are made up of precious stones and depict many saints.
Must Know: Dress Code of St. Mark's Basilica
The Museum was founded towards the end of the 19th Century and it houses various objects that belong to the Church. Some of these objects date back to the mid 14th century such as the wood painting which relates the life of Saint Mark. The museum also houses liturgical vestments, ancient manuscripts, Persian carpets, fragments of mosaic which has been saved from the restorations done in the 19th Century and many other relics.
Must Explore: Paintings at St. Mark's Basilica
The Campanile is St Mark's Basilica 's Bell Tower which stands at a height of 90m. This Tower has five Bells and with your St Mark's Basilica tickets you can visit the Bell Tower and learn the significant meaning of each bell. The biggest of the five Bells is known as the Marangona and it rings twice a day to mark the beginning and end of each day. The Bell known as Nona would be heard ringing at MidDay, Malefico, the smallest bell was heard when there was an execution. The Trottier was rung when the members of the Maggior Consiglio were to gather while the Mexxa Terza was used to announce a meeting of the Senate.
Do Checkout: Pala d'Oro in St. Mark's Basilica
St Mark's Basilica Venice led to a new musical tradition that was very different as compared to what was being practiced at the beginning of the 14th century. Giovanni Gabrielli, the organist at the Basilica was the one that started the Venetian school of music which led to the birth of the Music Chapel and polychoir.
Check This Out: Entrances of St. Mark's Basilica
In 829 St Mark's body was brought from Egypt to Venice. The first church of St Mark's was consecrated in 832. The Church was burned down in 976 to 978bwhen the people revolted against Doge Candiano IV. The reconstruction of the Church started in 1063 while the creation of the famous gold mosaics began in 1071 and continued till 1084.
Must Read: How to Reach St. Mark's Basilica
Architecture St Mark's Basilica Venice
Western Facade: St Mark's Basilica architecture divides the western Facade into two levels and glorious domes. The lower registers feature five deep arched portals with decorative columns. The upper registers feature beautiful mosaics depicting the life of Christ. Right above the central window is the Winged Lion which is the insignia of the Venetian Republic.
Northern Facade: The various openings in the Northern Facade feature sculptures and statues of the original Latin Doctors of the Church namely, Jerome, Augustine, Ambrose, and Gregory the Great. The North Facade overlooks the famous Piazzetta dei Leoncini and features the Porta dei Fiori with a beautiful depiction of the nativity scene surrounded by flowers, angels and prophets.
South Facade: The South Facade overlooks the famous Grand Canal of Venice and it features two pillars with intricate details right in front called the Pilastri Acritani. Around the corner of the South Facade there are the porphyry group of the Four Tetrarchs and the famous abridged porphyry column known as the Pietra del Bando.
Also Read: St. Mark’s Basilica Horses
The Entry Hall of the St Mark's Basilica was redecorated in the 13th century and the mosaics on its vaulted dome narrates the journey of St Mark's relics from Egypt to Venice. The apse on the doorway and the figure of the Virgin flanked by angels accounts for the Byzantine touch in the St Mark's Basilica architecture.
Do Checkout: St. Mark's Basilica Tours
Chancel and choir Chapel: There are two choir Chapels placed on either side of the Chancel at the St Mark's Basilica. Both the Chapels are connected to the Chancel by archways that also act as a support for the glorious domes above. The Chancel features a Gothic Altar Screen and a silver bronze crucifix which is flanked by the Virgin and St Mark on either side.
Side Altars and Chapels: The Side Altars in the aisles will be exclusively used by the clergy while the altar in the Northern side was formerly dedicated to St John the Evangelist. On the side of the main dome there are several small Chapels devoted to the Madonna. Each of these Chapels are beautifully decorated in a combination of Byzantine and Gothic style.
Baptistry: The Baptistry in St Mark's Basilica is hidden from the general public and it contains treasures that have been saved for centuries. The Baptistry has a large red Boulder made of granite brought from Tiro in 1126; a magnificent baptismal font built in bronze and marble and the perfect mosaics that chronicles the life of John the Baptist. Visitors who wish to see the Baptistry will need to book a separate tour.
Sacristy: The Sacristy was designed by Giorgio Spavento and it is connected to the choir Chapel of St Peter and the presbytery. There are beautifully inlaid cabinets which are used for storing reliquaries, vestments, monstrances, books and liturgical objects. The mosaics on the vault have been designed by Titian and depict prophets from the Old Testament.
Learn About: St. Mark's Basilica Mosaics
St Mark's Basilica architecture has been a main source of inspiration for many Venetian architects. During the Gothic period however, the Basilica has mainly influenced the decorative Gothic styles rather than in construction. These decorative styles can be seen in the Church of Santo Stefano, the portal of the Church of the Madonna dell'Orto, facades of Ca Dario and a few others.
Must Know: St. Mark's Basilica Altar
Plan Your Visit to St. Mark's Basilica
Checkout the timings to St. Mark's Basilica:
- St. Mark’s Basilica is open Monday to Saturday from 9:30 am to 5:15 pm.
- On Sundays and the Holy Days of Obligation, the Basilica will be open to visitors from 2pm to 4pm.
- There is no charge to offer prayers or attend mass, and services at the St Mark's Basilica.
- The Museum at St Mark's Basilica is open for visitors every Sunday from 9:30am to 2pm.
- The Bell Tower of the Basilica is open for visitors everyday from 9:30am to 9:15pm. Last entry time to the Bell Tower is at 8:45pm.
- Last entry to St Mark's Basilica is at 4:45 pm.
Also Read: Facades of St. Mark's Basilica
By Ferry: Venice is a network of canals and the most convenient way to reach St Mark's Basilica is by ferry. You can board from Ferrovia 'B' ferry terminal and get on No. 2 ferry getting down in Rialto. St. Mark’s Basilica is just 6 minutes walking distance from the ferry terminal. The ferry takes around 30 minutes to travel from Ferrovia B to Rialto.
By Train: If you're traveling by train then get down at Santa Lucia Station and then take the water bus to St Mark's. Total time taken to reach the Basilica is about 35 minutes and you can board route number 1,2 and 51.
By Foot: If you are planning to take a walk, St Mark's Basilica is a 40 minutes walk away from Piazzale Roma.
By Car: If you have plans for driving then there are three parking lots near Piazzale Roma where you can park your car while you explore St Mark's Basilica.
Also Explore: St. Mark's Basilica Chapels
St Mark's Basilica Venice is a major attraction here and it can get quite busy especially during weekends. It is best to visit the Basilica during weekdays so that you can truly explore all the attractions of this magnificent church.
Best time to visit St Mark's Basilica during the year would be between September to November. Venice is usually packed with tourists all year round but during this time the crowds are comparatively less. The temperature too drops to about 15°C making it much more pleasant to go sightseeing and exploring the city's attractions.
Must Read: Bell Tower in St. Mark's Basilica
- There is one restroom in the Museum level that visitors can use.
- To store luggage visitors can use the storage facilities at Piazzetta dei Leoncini.
- St Mark's Basilica is wheelchair accessible and visitors with reduced mobility can enter through the Porta dei Fiori gate by using the ramp.
- The St Mark's Museum which is on the first floor is accessible by lift.
Do Read: Sculptures in St. Mark's Basilica
Address: P.za San Marco, 328, 30100 Venezia VE, Italy
St. Mark’s Basilica is located in Saint Mark's Square in the South East Corner of Venice.
Also Explore: St. Mark's Basilica Terrace
- St. Mark’s Basilica is a place of worship hence make sure you're appropriately dressed.
- Maintain silence while visiting St Mark's Basilica Chapels and interiors.
- Any kind of luggage is not allowed inside the Basilica which includes backpacks, professional cameras and travel bags.
- St. Mark’s Basilica is known for the harmonious blend of various architectural styles, heritage and history.
- A guided tour is the best way to explore the Basilica.
- The queues to visit the Basilica can take upto over one hour of waiting time.
- Do not feed the pigeons inside the Basilica and if anyone is found in violation of this rule will need to pay a fine of up to €200.
Learn About: St. Mark's Basilica Floor
FAQ's
Why is St Mark's Basilica famous?
St Mark's Basilica is one of the most beautiful cathedrals and also one of the most important places of worship in Venice. The Basilica is a fascinating combination of art, architecture and an imposing example of the culture and heritage of the city
What are the nearby attractions to St. Mark's Basilica Venice?
The attractions near St Mark's Basilica are Doge Palace, Bridge of Sighs, Rialto Bridge, Teatro La Fenice, Gallerie dell Accademia, Corner Museum and many others.
Are St. Mark’s Basilica Tickets available online?
Yes, St Mark's Basilica Venice tickets are easily available online. Booking your skip-the-line tickets online is highly advantageous as it saves time and you get instant confirmation.
How long does it take to visit St. Mark’s Basilica?
You will need at least 2 hours which can be explored using St Mark's Basilica Venice tickets. The view of the Gold mosaics from the gallery is not to be missed as well as a visit to the St Mark's Museum.
What are the St. Mark’s Basilica opening hours?
St Mark's Basilica Venice is open from 9:30am to 5pm and the last entry in church is 4:45pm. In these opening hours you will witness the incredible architectural structure and represent the cultural heritage of the city using your St Mark's Basilica Venice tickets
Should I pre book a ticket for St Mark's Basilica?
Yes,you can make a pre-booking for your St Mark's Basilica Venice tickets which will make your visit convenient and ensure you don't have to stand in long queues to enter the Church.
Explore Doge's Palace