The church was founded in the 9th century to house the relics of St. Mark, after two clever Venetian merchants smuggled the saint's body out of Egypt. They hid it in a barrel of pork fat to conceal it from Muslim guards.

Where East meets West

With its blend of Byzantine, Gothic and Romanesque styles, the church is a unique architectural marvel that reflects the city's cultural connections.

Endless gilded mosaics

The upper levels of the interior are completely covered with intricate mosaics crafted over the course of eight centuries. Many of them use 24-carat gold leaf fused onto the back of the glass to symbolize divine light. They vividly tell stories from the Bible and depict events from the lives of Christ, Saint Mark and other saints.

The numbers behind Pala d'Oro

As if the mosaics weren't lavish enough, this 3x2 meter altarpiece depicting scenes from the life of Christ is made of gold and silver, featuring 187 enamel plaques and a staggering 1,927 gemstones: 526 pearls, 330 garnets, 320 emeralds, 255 sapphires, 183 amethysts, 175 agates, 75 rubies, 34 topazes, 16 carnelians, and 13 jaspers.

Sweeping views

The upper terrace offers a unique vantage point over the other landmarks in Piazza San Marco.

Horses of Saint Mark

The Horses of the Hippodrome of Constantinople are a set of copper statues from classical antiquity. They were placed on the facade of the church after the sack of Constantinople in 1204. Outside are replicas, while the originals can be seen inside the museum on the first floor.

Basilica di San Marco : The highlight of the museum is that you get to see the original copper horse statues that once stood on the facade

Discover more about Basilica di San Marco through 19 photos with explanations.

Open gallery

Your experience here

Feel the intensity of this tribute to both divine glory and Venice's might.
Watch Christianity's stories unfold in seemingly endless mosaics.
Gaze over the sea of visitors in Piazza San Marco from the basilica's upper terrace.
Witness the primal "let there be light" moment in an exclusive after-hours tour.

Take the exclusive evening tour

Step into the basilica like never before - shrouded in silence, untouched by the daytime crowds, as its golden mosaics ignite under special lighting, transforming the space into a realm beyond this world.

If you've visited before, this after-hours experience offers a completely new perspective - and might just be the most awe-inspiring way to truly appreciate St. Mark's.

It all begins with a 'let there be light' moment. Out of total darkness, light slowly rises, making the mosaics shimmer as the vast interior is revealed in a deliberate crescendo.

The effect is powerful - even for non-believers.

Basilica di San Marco : The evening tour begins in pitch-black darkness, until suddenly the divine command of 'Let there be light' illuminates the church in a breathtaking spectacle

Join a regular guided tour

If the evening tour feels a bit pricey but you still want expert commentary and insights, there are plenty of regular daytime guided tours available.

All include skip-the-line access, and some even combine visits to St. Mark's with Palazzo Ducale.

A guided tour brings out the curiosities and hidden symbolism inside the basilica and adds depth to its many masterpieces of Venetian-Byzantine mosaic art, such as the remarkable Dome of Creation, where Genesis is depicted across 26 scenes arranged in three concentric bands.

Basilica di San Marco : The Dome of Creation mosaic tells the story of Genesis in 26 vivid scenes, culminating with the expulsion of Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden

Tickets & extras explained

Everything you need to know about buying your entry ticket - plus a guide to the optional extras you can explore inside.

Tickets available online only

As of July 2025, the only way to visit the basilica is by booking your entry online, with tickets priced at €10.

The good news? That price includes much more than just the basilica itself. Your ticket also grants access to Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello, the Sacristy of Santa Maria della Salute, and the Pinacoteca Manfrediniana.

Official ticket website

Pala d'Oro

For an extra €10 (bringing your total to €20, including basilica entry), enhance your visit by stepping behind the high altar - where the relics of St. Mark are kept - to admire the dazzling Pala d'Oro, the world's only intact example of large-scale Gothic goldsmithing.

Divided into several panels depicting religious figures and scenes from the life of Christ, the altarpiece is made of gold and silver and embellished with hundreds of gemstones.

Basilica di San Marco : Behold the Pala d’Oro ('Golden Panel') — a luminous 3x2 meter altarpiece, ablaze with gold and a constellation of precious gems

Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli

For an extra €10 (or separately for €14, but only on Sunday mornings), you can enhance your visit with access to the basilica's museum on the upper floor.

On your way up, you'll catch elevated views of the basilica's interior and get a closer look at the shimmering mosaics.

Highlights include the original copper horses that once adorned St. Mark's facade and the chance to step out onto the terrace for sweeping views over Piazza San Marco and the distant lagoon.

Basilica di San Marco : Half of the stunning view from the terrace, looking out over the lagoon

Connect the dots

It started with a donation

In the 12th century, nuns from the San Zaccaria convent donated the land beneath St. Mark's for the construction of what was originally intended to be a ducal chapel - which eventually evolved into the magnificent basilica we see today.

Besides its elegant white facade blending two architectural styles and a beautiful interior, San Zaccaria is famous for its ethereal flooded crypt, which you can visit.

San Zaccaria

Venice's other Pala

On rare occasions, visitors to San Salvador are treated to a glimpse of the Pala d'Argento - a dazzling silver altarpiece that rivals its golden counterpart at St. Mark's in both craftsmanship and splendor.

San Salvador

Your questions, answered

We've answered some of the most common questions about Basilica di San Marco to help you plan your visit:

Is there a dress code?

Yes, St. Mark's Basilica has a strictly enforced dress code. Both men and women must have their shoulders and knees covered. Therefore, tank tops, sleeveless shirts, short skirts or shorts are not permitted.

Can I still buy tickets on the spot?

Since July 2025, tickets have been available online only and are time-slotted. Depending on the season and demand, you may still find empty slots available on the day, but we recommend booking in advance.

If I attend Mass for free, can I visit the basilica afterward?

No. Mass is held at a small side altar near the northern entrance of the basilica. Access is limited to this area only, so you won't be able to visit the rest of the basilica.