Visit Saint Mark’s Basilica: tickets, prices, opening hours

Are you staying in Venice and looking for a cultural highlight? Come and visit St. Mark’s Basilica, the jewel of the Venetian city!

St. Mark’s Basilica was and still is the spiritual and political heart of the splendid city of Venice. Built in the 9th century, it has always played a key role in the city’s history. In the past, it was here that the Dukes of Venice were consecrated! Located on the no less famous Piazza San Marco, it is the masterpiece of the magnificent San Marco district. Today, it welcomes countless tourists who wouldn’t miss it for the world. This jewel of Italian heritage is brimming with legends, treasures, fascinating anecdotes and numerous cultural points of interest.

As you can see, a visit to Saint Mark’s Basilica is definitely worth a visit! And to help you make the most of it, we’ve put together a guide containing all the essential information. A brief history of the place, attractions and places to discover, access map, prices and opening hours are all presented. Andiamo!

History of Saint Mark’s Basilica

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St. Mark’s Basilica should have been a mere extension of the Doge’s Palace. Construction began in 828, took four years and was completed specifically to house the body of Saint Mark. This apostle, whose remains were brought from Alexandria, is considered the city’s protector. This made Venice an independent episcopal see, and strengthened the city’s aura over the whole of Europe. In 1063, the present basilica was enlarged in the purest Byzantine style. This further consolidated the power of the mighty Republic of Veneto!

The distinctive architecture of St. Mark’s Basilica is based on the Byzantine model. It features a central plant in the shape of a Greek cross, and five majestic domes. The grandiose blend of Western and Eastern architecture is still felt today, and lends the place a certain exotic majesty.

A visit to St. Mark’s Basilica reveals the many changes that have taken place over the centuries. These include the decoration, which has evolved considerably over more than a millennium. But also the addition of sculptures, which arrived in the 17th and 18th centuries, and mosaics. Or the bas-reliefs depicting the various trades that contributed to the city’s hegemony, the Gothic arches, the marble… As you can see, this stylistic melting pot is a major contributor to the site’s renown and cultural interest! It became the city’s official cathedral in the early 19th century, and has remained largely unchanged since then.

What to see and do in Saint Mark’s Basilica

A magical place

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St. Mark’s Basilica dominates the square of the same name, the nerve center of the city of Venice. The square itself is well worth a visit! It’s the lowest part of this lagoon city. In other words, it’s the first to be flooded when high tide inundates Venice! But don’t worry, when the Adriatic Sea does its worst, footbridges are placed in the area. These allow you to fly over the waters and visit St. Mark’s Basilica.

Let’s focus on this sublime place of worship, and enter this sacred space. What strikes the visitor above all else is the predominance of the golden color covering the mosaics. On the ceiling, the mosaics occupy an area of over 4,000 m²! The mosaics in the Ascension dome, for example, date from the 13th century and depict scenes from the biblical New Testament.

The altar and the Logia dei Cavalli

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Hani Santosa

Let’s continue our visit with the majestic altar supported by four colossal alabaster and marble columns. The body of the illustrious Saint Mark lies beneath it! Further on, the museum, undoubtedly the most enriching section of the visit, displays its treasures. When visiting the Basilica of San Marco, you can get a close-up view of its extraordinary, richly-decorated ceilings.

In addition to these, it’s possible to admire the works of art on the museum’s premises. These include the Logia dei Cavalli, a room with a balcony overlooking St. Mark’s Square. Among them, the original sculptures of the Horses of Saint Mark are a must-see. This work represents four splendid horses made of bronze and covered with gold leaf. Originally kept in Constantinople, they are in fact a war treasure: booty from the Fourth Crusade!

The treasure

Photo credit: Shutterstock / Andrea Izzotti

Further on, you’ll be amazed to discover a real… treasure. This authentic Byzantine treasure of gold and silver actually comes from the looting that followed the fall of Constantinople! The Pala d’Oro follows on from this discovery. This splendid altar, made entirely of gold and precious stones, was crafted entirely by medieval artisans. A must-see, the Pala d’Oro is the highlight of the visit, and will captivate visitors who have already been won over!

How do I get to Saint Mark’s Basilica?

To explore the splendid city of Venice, we recommend taking the vaporetto. This waterbus is the best way to get around this city, where canals replace narrow streets! To reach St. Mark’s Basilica, there are two stops. These are San Zaccaria and San Marco, both of which are served by numerous lines due to their tourist appeal.

You can use lines 1, 2, 41, 42, 51 or 52 to stop here! Wherever you are in the city, don’t worry, you’ll have easy access to St. Mark’s Basilica.

Saint Mark’s Basilica opening times and prices

SCHEDULES

You can visit St. Mark’s Basilica every day from 9 am to 5 pm. However, on Sundays and during the Italian school vacations, the timetable changes. During these periods, the site is only open to the public from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In both cases, no tickets may be sold after 4.45pm, fifteen minutes before closing time.

RATES

When you visit St. Mark’s Basilica, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that admission is free for all! Although a tourist attraction, the Basilica is nonetheless a Catholic place of worship open to the public. Visits to the narthex (the entrance to the basilica, the most majestic area) are therefore completely free of charge.

However, access to certain parts of the building is not free:

• Altar: €2
• Byzantine treasure and relics: €3
• Terrace and galleries near the ceiling: €5
• Guided tours with guided ticket: varies according to season and package chosen. Please book in advance.