Basilica San Marco

The Basilica of San Marco is a very grand and ornate cathedral. We weren't allowed to take pictures in it so there aren't that many here. The original church had been Romanesque and built in the 9th century AD as a shrine for Saint Mark, but it was destroyed in a fire 967. It was then reconstructed by Byzantine architects and completed about 1087. However, it wasn't until 1807 that it became a Basilica for the people since it was originally for the Doge, rulers. It is currenlty a Greek cross with a Gothic entrance. It is 250 feet long and 220 feet long! St. Mark's bones are in a tomb in the cathredral. There are also many spoils of wars from the Crusades.

As we toured the church, both John and I were impressed and struck by the mosiacs. The inside and outside are covered in them. It amazes me that people could make such intricate designs on the ceilings of this 250 foot high church. I posted a picture of the facade of the whole church in my San Marco post previously.