The '''Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark''' (officially known in [[wikipedia:Italian language|Italian]] as the Basilica Cattedrale Patriarcale di San Marco and commonly known as Saint Mark's Basilica) is the [[wikipedia:Cathedral|cathedral]] church of the [[wikipedia:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice|Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice]], northern [[wikipedia:Italy|Italy]]. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of [[wikipedia:Byzantine architecture|Byzantine architecture]].
The '''Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark''', or '''Saint Mark's Basilica''', is the cathedral church of the [[Rome|Roman]] Catholic Archdiocese of [[Venice]]. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] architecture.
==Description==
==Description==
It lies at the eastern end of the [[wikipedia:Piazza San Marco Piazza|San Marco]] district, adjacent and connected to the[[ Palazzo Ducale]] ([[wikipedia:Doge's Palace, Venice|Doge's Palace)]]. Originally it was the chapel of the Doge, and has only been the city's cathedral since 1807, when it became the seat of the [[wikipedia:Patriarch of Venice|Patriarch of Venice]], archbishop of the [[wikipedia:Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice|Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice]], formerly at [[wikipedia:San Pietro di Castello|San Pietro di Castello]]. For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine [[wikipedia:Mosaic mosaics]], and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building has been known by the nickname '''Chiesa d'Oro''' (Church of gold).
The Basilica lies at the eastern end of the [[San Marco District (Venice)|San Marco District]], adjacent and connected to the [[Palazzo Ducale]]. Originally it was the chapel of the Doge, and has only been the city's cathedral since 1807, when it became the seat of the archbishop.
At some point in its history, the Basilica became home to one of six [[Assassin's Tombs]] that protects [[Amunet]]'s [[Assassin's Seal|Seal]]. Once you enter the Basilica via the skull-switch, [[Ezio Auditore da Firenze|Ezio]] attempts to pull four levers that are situated at the ceilings of the four halls of the inside. Each lever rotates a circular shape of the mural in the center of the basilica that, once all levers have been pulled, forms the [[Assassin insignia]] that causes the mural to retract onto the floor revealing Amunet's Tomb. St Mark's Basilica is a restricted area in game and is surrounded by many [[guards]].
==History==
===The building===
The first St Mark's was a temporary building in the [[Wikipedia:Doge's Palace, Venice|Doge's Palace]], constructed in 828, when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of [[Wikipedia:Mark the Evangelist|Mark the Evangelist]] from [[Wikipedia:Alexandria|Alexandria]]. This was replaced by a new church on its present site in 832; from the same century dates the first [[Wikipedia:St Mark's Campanile|St Mark's Campanile]] (bell tower). The new church was burned in a rebellion in 976, rebuilt in 978 and again to form the basis of the present basilica since 1063. The basilica was consecrated in 1094, the same year in which the body of Saint Mark was supposedly rediscovered in a pillar by [[Wikipedia:Vitale Faliero|Vitale Faliero]], doge at the time. The building also incorporates a low tower (now housing St Mark’s Treasure), believed by some to have been part of the original Doge's Palace. Within the first half of the 13th century the narthex and the new façade were constructed, most of the mosaics were completed and the domes were covered with higher wooden, lead-covered domes in order to blend in with the Gothic architecture of the redesigned Doge's Palace.
==Database Entry==
==Database Entry==
''The Basilica di San Marco was first built in 828 to house supposed relics from St. Mark stolen from Alexandria. The present Byzantine-style basilica was constructed in 1063.''
''The Basilica di San Marco was first built in 828 to house supposed relics from St. Mark stolen from Alexandria. The present Byzantine-style basilica was constructed in 1063.''
Revision as of 22:57, 14 October 2011
The Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, or Saint Mark's Basilica, is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. It is the most famous of the city's churches and one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture.
The Basilica lies at the eastern end of the San Marco District, adjacent and connected to the Palazzo Ducale. Originally it was the chapel of the Doge, and has only been the city's cathedral since 1807, when it became the seat of the archbishop.
Database Entry
The Basilica di San Marco was first built in 828 to house supposed relics from St. Mark stolen from Alexandria. The present Byzantine-style basilica was constructed in 1063.
Check out the facade. Many of the decorations were brought back from the Crusades or given as gifts from wealthy merchants. The church was considered the Doge's personal chapel; a passageway inside connects to the Palazzo Ducale next door.[1]
