Basilica di San Marco

The Basilica di San Marco, known also as the Patriarchal Cathedral Basilica of Saint Mark, or simply 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.

History

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.

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.

The sarcophagus of Amunet, from which Ezio Auditore di Firenze took an Assassin Seal was located in a tomb below the floor of the basilica, accessible by a secret staircase.