Saint Mark’s Venice (Basilica)

Saint Mark’s Basilica is a church in Venice began in 829 to honor the remains of St. Mark from Alexandria. In doing so, he was the new patron saint of Venice in place of St. Theodore, and his symbol, the winged lion, became the official symbol of the Venetian Republic. Until 1807, when it became a cathedral church of Venice, it was beside Doge’s Palace, and served as Doge’s Chapel.

The first basilica, burned in 976, was restored and completed under Candiano IV and Contarini by 1071.

Its design is of a Greek cross, surrounded by five domes, in a Byzantine design. Sculptures, mosaics, and ceremonial objects have been added over the centuries, making it even more rich in beauty.

It collapsed in 1902, but by 1912 was rebuilt on the original site.

Site for further Information

    "Restoring the Facade of St. Peter's Basilica"
    http://www.nd.edu/~knights/called/basilica.html

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