2. INTRODUCTION
Most famous church of Venice.
Finest examples of Byzantine architecture.
Located just off the Grand Canal, basilica overlooks the Piazza San Marco (St.
Mark's Square) and adjoins the Doge's Palace.
It was Doge's chapel until it became the seat of the Archbishop of Venice in 1807.
Originally a combination of Byzantine and Romanesque styles.
The present-day basilica is a mixture of Byzantine, Gothic, Renaissance, and
Moorish styles.
3. St. Mark's Basilica is modeled after
Constantine the Great's Church of the
Holy Apostles (no longer standing) and
the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul.
4. Shape of a Greek cross,
A dome over the crossing and another
dome on each of the four arms.
Each arm has a central aisle and two side
aisles.
A narthex wrapped around the west end
disguises the cross shape but creates a
wide, flat surface for the grand facade.
5. Flooring done with marble.
Consists of following parts/areas.
INTERIOR
Presbyter
The presbytery is the name for an area in a church building which is reserved for the clergy.
Right transept .
Left transept.
6. Floor
Covered with mosaic
designs.(4000 m)
Mosiac designs of 12 to 14 th
century
Domes
Held by massive pillars.
Consisted of paintings and
mosiacs.
Cupola: interior of domes
decorated with golden mosiacs.
7. Has slightly pointed arches.
Supports six small domes.
There are mosaics on the arches,
lunette recesses.
ATRIUM
8. EXTERIOR
Lower
consists of five arched portals - the center one
slightly larger - surrounded by marble columns.
Large bronze doors lead into the narthex.
Upper
ogee arches, statues of
Theological and Cardinal Virtues,
four Warrior Saints, Constantine,
Demetrius, George, Theodosius
and St Mark.
Domes
One central dome and four domes
on the arms.
Diam.: 42 ft. (13.8 m.)
10. 52 meters long.
consists of five rounded arch portals,
each supported by several columns.
The central arch is larger than the
other four.
Arches are covered by a terrace, which
is surrounded by a railing.
FACADE
11. Triumphal Quadriga or Horses of St Mark's is a set of bronze statues of
four horses .
Located on the terrace directly above the main arch.
Now replaced by duplicates ,with originals in museum
GREEK HORSES
12. the four co-emperors of the Roman Empire instituted by the Emperor
Diocletian.
TETRARCHS
