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 San
Marco Basilica
San Marco Basilica, so called the golden
cathedral, is an architectural masterpiece. Crowned
with five huge domes this is the third church to stand
on this site.
The
first enshrined the body of Saint Mark in the 9th. century
later destroyed by fire. The second was knock down and
was replaced at the end of the 11th. century by the
huge ornate edifice reflecting Venice power of the period
that we now see today.
 The façade has five doorways decorated
with shimmering mosaics.
Above
the main portal are replicas of the famous bronze horses
- the originals are now kept inside the Basilica, protected
from the pigeons and pollution. Until 1807 San Marco
was the Doge's private chapel, used for ceremonies of
State.
 The sumptuous atmosphere of the interior
is enhanced by the decorations of the walls: marble
in the lower part and golden mosaics covering the vaults,
the arches and domes. The mosaics cover 43.000 square
feet of surface.
 The impressive mosaic floor is like an
enormous oriental carpet, its multicolored tesserae
form images of beast and bird.
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