Today, we take a walk through San Marco Cathedral, the main attraction of Venice. You’ll discover how to visit without queuing, what to see inside, how to attend a service, and what to avoid to spare yourself disapproving looks. :) You can buy tickets right here – this is the best deal. Or keep reading for all the ways to enter the cathedral without melting in the heat.
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Ticket Prices and How to Buy
General entry to the cathedral costs €6. While affordable, waiting in line can take over an hour. To skip the queue, purchase a priority entry ticket – it costs more but saves you the hassle, especially in the heat.
Additional Tickets at the Ticket Office
- Access to the Pala d’Oro altar: €6
- Entrance to the museum (including access to the loggia): €10
- Climbing the bell tower (campanile): €12
Total: €34 to see all the sections of the cathedral.
Children under six enter all areas for free.
Online Ticket + Audio Guide
For €20, you can purchase a ticket that grants queue-free access to the cathedral’s ground floor. It also includes an audio guide, helping you navigate the interior. Get yours here. Tickets to the altar, bell tower, and museum must still be bought separately at the box office.
Tours of San Marco Cathedral in Venice
Gain access to the ground floor and terraces (closed to regular visitors) with this tour, where a professional guide will share fascinating stories.
If you’re keen on the St. Mark’s Museum, opt for this group tour, which includes skip-the-line entry to both the cathedral and museum, a guide, and an audio guide app.
The Pala d’Oro altar visit is included in this walking tour of Piazza San Marco and the cathedral.
If you prefer a more intimate experience, book this exclusive nighttime tour.
Opening Hours
Cathedral: 09:30 – 17:15 (last entry at 16:45)
Sundays: 14:00 – 17:15 (museum and loggia open earlier, from 09:30 – 14:00)
Bell tower: 09:30 – 21:15 (last entry at 20:45, closed in fog, frost, or strong winds)
History: How and Why San Marco Cathedral Was Built
In 829, two Venetian merchants smuggled the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria, hiding them in barrels of pork. The Muslim guards, repelled by the smell, refused to check inside.
Once the relics arrived safely in Venice, they needed a worthy home. The first Church of St. Mark was built, but in 976, it burned down during a revolt against Doge Candiano IV.
In 1063, construction began on a new basilica, marking the birth of what would later become Venice’s most iconic landmark. However, it didn’t immediately hold cathedral status. Until 1807, it served as the private chapel of the Doge. Before that, the official cathedral of Venice was San Pietro di Castello. Only after the fall of the Republic did San Marco become the seat of the Patriarch.
The Exterior of San Marco Cathedral
Domes
The first thing you’ll notice is the five domes – but they’re an architectural illusion. Venice’s soft, marshy ground doesn’t support heavy structures, so the Venetians built the domes with a light wooden frame, covered in a thin lead coating. Inside, they are much lower than they appear.
St. Mark’s Quadriga
The main west facade is crowned by the bronze quadriga of St. Mark — a chariot drawn by four horses. These are copies; the originals are kept in the cathedral’s museum.
The quadriga was part of the loot brought from Constantinople in 1204. Some believe it was crafted by Lysippus, a Greek sculptor of the 4th century BC. In 1797, Napoleon took the horses to Paris, but in 1815, they were returned to Venice.
Facade Mosaics
The five arched portals are adorned with religious mosaics from the 17th–18th centuries, depicting scenes such as «The Descent from the Cross», «Christ’s Resurrection», and «The Harrowing of Hell».
View all tickets and tours of San Marco CathedralSculptures
The southern facade, facing the sea, features a red porphyry sculpture of four Roman emperors. Like the quadriga, it was brought from Constantinople. The roof showcases sculptures of St. Mark’s winged lion, the Four Evangelists, the Virgin Mary, Archangel Gabriel, and the Four Latin Church Fathers.
Inside the Cathedral: What to See
The Pala d’Oro Altar
The Pala d’Oro (‘Golden Cloth’) is the cathedral’s most precious treasure. Byzantine artisans created 250 enamel miniatures from the 10th–12th centuries, encrusted with:
- 1,300 pearls
- 300 emeralds
- 300 sapphires
- 400 garnets
- 100 amethysts, rubies, and topazes
This masterpiece is positioned so that visitors must pay extra to see it up close.
Interior Mosaics
Covering over 8,000 square meters, the cathedral’s mosaics illustrate scenes from the Bible, Christ’s life, the Virgin Mary, St. Mark, and the Apostles. Many are made of gold, emphasizing Venice’s former wealth.
St. Mark’s Museum and Treasury
The museum houses Persian carpets, liturgical manuscripts, tapestries, mosaics, and treasures brought back from the Crusades. Most importantly, this is where the original quadriga is displayed.
Marble Floor
The cathedral’s 2,100-square-meter marble floor is crafted in two styles:
- Opus sectile: using tiles of various shapes and sizes.
- Opus tessellatum: using large, uniform tiles.
Madonna of Nicopaea
In one of the chapels, you’ll find the 9th-century Byzantine icon of Madonna Nicopeia, attributed to St. Luke the Evangelist.
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Service Schedule
Visitors who wish to attend Mass or enter for prayer should use the Porta dei Fiori gate on the north side of Piazzetta dei Leoncini.
- The cathedral opens for worship daily at 08:00 and closes at 19:30
- Check the official website for the latest service times
Rules for Visiting San Marco Cathedral
- No shorts, sleeveless tops, or revealing clothing
- Photography and professional video equipment are prohibited
- No loud talking
- Large backpacks and suitcases must be left in the luggage room at Piazzetta dei Leoncini
Enjoy your visit to San Marco Cathedral in Venice!
Nikolaus Bader / Pixabay
StockSnap / Pixabay
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