The Basilica di San Marco (in English, St. Mark's Basilica) is both a house of worship and a monument to plunder: It was built to house the bones of St. Mark, whose remains had been stolen from Egypt by a pair of Venetian merchants, and the building is filled with sculptures, religious objects, and other booty that was hauled back from Constantinople and other faraway places during the Christian Crusades.

The cathedral's exterior is a riot of Byzantine architecture, with five domes and more decoration than a nouveau riche wedding cake; the interior is spectacular, with gold mosaics that come to life from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when the church is illuminated.

Entrance to the Basilica is free, though it's polite to leave a donation. You'll need to buy tickets if you want to visit the San Marco Museum, the Treasury, and the Golden Altarpiece. For visitor information, click the article link below.

Basilica di San Marco

Next page: Venice Waterfront (St. Mark's Basin)

Top 11 Free Tourist Sights in Venice, Italy

Introduction	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8	9	10	11
Printable 'Top 11 Free Sights' List

Also see:

All Venice Sightseeing Articles - Index

Follow @durant_imboden

Booking.com Search Box

Hotel tip: Location can be important when choosing a hotel in Venice or on the mainland. Before booking, read our No. 1 Warning and Venice Hotel Recommendations by Area.

Venice canal reflections

From our Venice Travel Blog:

A water taxi ride to Venice Airport
A warning about water taxis

Venice Railroad Station: a vaporetto view
Long lines at Venice Airport
Free boat trips to Murano

Need to pee? Prepare to pay
The perils of overpacking
Flood warning: the sound of sirens

Stupid tourist tricks
Johnny Depp's palazzo
Venetian daily life

Maggie in Venice

From Maggie in Venice:

A dog's life in Venice
A Beagle boards a water bus
Venice Carnival for dogs

Venice cruise review:

MSC Eastern Mediterranean Cruise