Basilica di San Marco
Venice
St Mark's Basilica is the church of the doges, consecrated in 1094. It holds the relics of St Mark and the treasures that came from Constantinople after 1204.
The church of the patron saint
In the 9th century (the 800s) two Venetian merchants brought the body of St Mark the Evangelist to Venice. A church was built for him next to the doge's palace. Since then St Mark has been the protector of the city.
That church burned down during a revolt in 976. Today's basilica was begun in 1063 and consecrated in 1094.
The treasures of Constantinople
In 1204 Doge Enrico Dandolo led the conquest of Constantinople, together with the crusaders. Marble, columns, reliefs and precious objects came from the city.
With that marble the Venetians covered the façades, which until then were plain brick. Many treasures are still kept in the basilica.
The square
Piazza San Marco is the only space in Venice called a piazza: all the others are campi. It is closed in by long arcades: the Procuratie, once the offices of the Republic.
The bell tower, almost 99 metres tall, suddenly collapsed in 1902 without hurting anyone. It was rebuilt as it was and where it was, and finished in 1912.
