There is more to Venice, Italy, than gondolas and picturesque canals. Sure, the essence of romance that oozes from every inch of this city can make it seem like a mere movie set. However, if you take a trip to this northern municipality during your study abroad program, you should keep in mind that this locale is very much real – complete with a rich history and vivacious culture, which can be seen with the Basilica di San Marco.
A native Venetian once observed that there is no need to sell maps of Venice, as a constant and steady stream of tourists appears to guide visitors from one attraction to the next. While students may feel exceptionally adventurous during their weekend stay here, they may also just want to go with the flow and embrace the tourist mentality. Sometimes, the path most traveled is the optimal option for people seeing a city for the first time.
Tourists and pigeons flock to St. Mark's
So what is on tap for your brief introduction to this Italian destination? Well, for starters, you could follow the throngs of other globetrotters to St. Mark's Square. Perhaps the most recognizable site throughout all of Venice, this piazza is where you can do anything from sitting outside and sipping a cappuccino to feeding flocks of pigeons.
The cornerstone of this expansive square is the Basilica di San Marco. If the incredible size of this structure doesn't give away its identity, then the dead giveaway letting you know that you have the right church is the line of people waiting to go inside that stretches from its decorative doors to the opposite side of the piazza.
The basilica, a breathtaking building embellished with various Byzantine elements, was constructed at some point between 1063 and 1094. The reason that its overall appearance alludes to Eastern influences is the fact that it is decorated with all kinds of trophies from the Sack of Constantinople, which took place in 1204. That's right, this church is the perfect place for you to see some of the prizes that crafty Venetian merchants pilfered during the Fourth Crusade.
Check out the stolen goods
Even if you are not in the mood for admiring stolen treasures from past conquests, you may still be able to appreciate the intricate mosaics covering the Basilica di San Marco's facade. Although there are a number of mosaics covering the front of this church, the majority of them are replacements that were completed in the 1600 and 1700s. If you want to view the one original piece of workmanship, you should glance over at the door that is located at the most northern entrance of the basilica.
This mosaic was completed around 1260 and depicts the arrival of St. Mark's body at Venice, where the remnants now lie. If you make your way to the opposite side of the structure, you will find a later mosaic that shows how St. Mark's relics were snatched from Alexandria, being placed under a protective layer of pork to prevent Muslims from touching them. Even though it is commonly accepted that this was the method that two Venetian traders used to seize and transport the saint's body, bringing his relics to a proper resting place, some historians theorize that the merchants actually snagged Alexander the Great's body by accident.
Regardless of the true story, the Basilica di San Marco has remained one of the most important churches in Italy. By stopping by this locale during your summer study abroad, you will be able to step inside what was once the chapel for the Palazzo Ducale. Not to mention, you would have the opportunity to feast your eyes on the Pala d'Oro – the ornate golden altar that was made in Constantinople in 976 and brought to the church legitimately.