A walk look inside St. Mark's Basilica - From Palo d'Oro to golden mosaics

In the southern entry hall, the Zen Chapel honors Cardinal Giambattista Zen. It displays a 5th-century bronze arched gate from Constantinople and a mosaic cycle illustrating St. Mark's life in 12 scenes. These scenes include the angelic prophecy about St. Mark's burial in Venice and the divine right of the church to possess his relics. Explore other chapels like Chapel of Saint Giovanni, illustrating St. John's life, and the Cappella della Madonna Nicopeia, home to the renowned Byzantine icon of the Madonna Nicopeia.

The chancel, just before the apse, is bordered by a Gothic altar screen dating back to 1394. This ornate screen showcases silver and bronze statues of the Virgin Mary, St. Mark, and the twelve disciples of Jesus. Behind it, marble banisters denote the start of the choir area, hosting the Doge and civic leaders. Further lies the presbytery, housing the renowned Pala d'Oro high altar. Bronze reliefs of St. Mark adorn each side, depicting his miracles.

The dazzling gold-grounded mosaics are an absolute attention grabber! Spanning 8,000 pieces covering 4,240 square meters, these Byzantine-style artworks illustrate biblical narratives and Venetian history. Developed over 8 centuries, they depict key religious figures and city stories. Among these, the Christ Pantocrator in the apse, the Dome of the Creation in the narthex, and the Agony in the Garden are particularly revered.

The tessellated floor of the cathedral spreads across 2099 square meters with marble and limestone mosaics. Divided into earthly and divine zones, the floor employs opus sectile and opus tessellatum techniques from Constantinople and Byzantine Greece. Fancy geometric forms and floral-animal motifs adorn the floor, showcasing a rectangular herringbone mosaic in the nave, a must-see highlight.

The Treasury at St. Mark’s Basilica, between the church and the Doge Palace, houses a collection of sacred relics and objects. Acquired during the Fourth Crusade, the collection includes Byzantine metalworks and enamels. Among its treasures are artifacts purportedly taken from Constantinople, such as a fragment of the True Cross, a vessel containing Christ's Precious Blood, and a relic of St. John the Baptist. With 283 items in total, the treasury showcases gold, silver, and ceramic pieces, including chalices and bowls, from Byzantine and Islamic cultures.

The crypt below the presbytery is believed to have housed St. Mark's body around 1063, before the relics were relocated to the high altar in 1835. It was constructed from repurposed church buildings and features ancient columns and arches, creating an atmospheric environment. Controversy surrounds the relics, with some suggesting they may belong to Alexander the Great.

The Iconostasis in St. Mark's Basilica is a decorative partition adorned with religious icons, separating the nave from the sanctuary. This Byzantine-style wooden screen features intricate paintings of saints, biblical scenes, and symbols, representing the spiritual connection between earthly and heavenly realms. It adds a sense of sacredness to the church's interior, with a touch of Eastern Orthodox traditions.

The Patriarchal Throne, situated within St. Mark's Basilica, is an ornate seat symbolic of ecclesiastical authority. Crafted from marble with intricate carvings, it serves as the ceremonial seat of the Patriarch of Venice, holding historical and religious importance. It represents the spiritual leadership and authority of the Patriarch within the basilica.

The Golden Pall inside St. Mark's Basilica is a valuable fabric embellished with intricate embroidery, typically made from threads of gold or silver. It is delicately draped over religious relics, altars, or esteemed religious figures during ceremonies, symbolizing their importance and reverence. In St. Mark's Basilica, the Golden Pall represents the grandeur and solemnity of its religious rituals.