The basilica of St. Mark's in Venice will need little introduction to many of our readers. The basilica is the seat of the Patriarch of Venice (though at one time, believe it or not, it was the 'chapel' to the doge of Venice), construction being begun in the eleventh century. The basilica is one of the classic examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture, being modelled after the Church of the Holy Apostles in Constantinople and covered inside with rich gold mosaics.
Today I thought I would share a few photographs of this spectacular basilica. We will let the photographs do the talking for this particular piece for the most part.
One of the most impressive features of the basilica is surely the great screen separating the nave from the sanctuary which includes a crucifix and the twelve apostles.
The high altar is covered by a great ciborium and beneath the altar one can make out the stone box which contains the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist -- patron saint of not only this basilica but also the entire city (the symbol of the lion being near omnipresent in this historic city).
