St Mark's Basilica

The St Mark's Basilica (fully Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark) is one of the most important cathedral of Venice, Italy. It overlooks St. Mark's Square.

This cathedral is a rare example of Byzantine architecture in Western Europe.

History

Originally this cathedral was to be an extension of the Doge's Palace.^[1] It was begun in 829 and ended in 832 as building for the remains of St. Mark that had been brought from Alexandria.^[1]^[2]

St Mark's Basilica Media

The nave of Saint Mark's Basilica, looking East, with the Dome of the Ascension above
The entry to St Mark's, believed to date to the Participazio church
Antonio Pellanda, reconstruction of the western façade of the Contarini church (1881)
The juncture of the southern and western crossarms, showing the original brickwork and the subsequent embellishment
The lateral aisle of the western crossarm, showing the arcade that strengthens the vault and the walkways above which were created with the removal of the galleries
Basílica de S. Marcos - detalhe
Venice city scenes...in St. Mark's square...St Mark's Basilica
Entry to the chancel with the Dome of Immanuel above the high altar
Petrus F., mosaic of Christ Pantocrator in the semi-dome of the apse with the Christogram ICXC (1506)