There are a few things that you must do while in Venice. I’m going to start a list of these things and I’m starting with the most obvious – Basilica di San Marco.
Situated at the east side of San Marco Square (obviously) this stunning Basilica was once the chapel for the Doge of Venice. But it didn’t get its opulence until well into the 13th century when the new facade (what you see today) was installed.
Besides it’s gorgeous mix of Byzantine and Gothic architecture, the Basilica is home to St. Mark’s (yup, the same “the Gospel according to Mark,” St. Mark) relics. The story goes that three merchants from Venice rescued (stole) St. Mark’s remains from Alexandria in Egypt in 828 AD (CE). In order to smuggle it out of Alexandria, they placed his remains under a crate of pork, letting the strictly Halal Muslim’s wave it on to the ship without inspection. Since then St. Mark and his holy relics have rested in the Basilica.
San Marco is probably the second most recognizable and important church in all of Christiandom behind St. Peter’s in Rome. You must visit this ancient and breathtaking church, if only to gaze at its facade and the bronze horses that Doge Enrico Dandolo brought back from Constantinople after it’s sacking in 1204 (the real ones are inside the church, the ones on the facade are replicas).
You could even enjoy mass there on Sunday morning at 8AM, 9AM and 10:30AM.
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