Tour Highlights
Though the admission to the St Mark’s Basilica is free, long lines of eager travelers hinder the experience with long queuing times. Plus, the free entry doesn’t include the visit to the magnificent altarpiece peppered with the most exquisite jewels nor the entry to the terrace.
Though the imposing gilded mosaics inside the basilica are breathtaking in themselves, the terrace area includes a museum with the four horses of Saint Mark.
The horses are Roman bronze statues originally part of a monument that depicted a quadriga - a four-horse carriage used in chariot racing. The horses decorated the facade of the Venetian basilica until Napoleon looted them in 1797. Today, the statues on the facade are just a faithful replica, the original resides in the rooftop museum.
After you get to see the architectural and artistic highlight of Venice that is St Mark’s Basilica, you will get to witness the highlight of all its crafts, the creation of Venetian glass. You will learn how it’s made and handled to create the stunning designs as well watch a glass blowing demonstration.
History Sneak Peek
Venice boasts many stories and many such stories circle St Mark’s Basilica as well as the winding history of glassmaking.
The Tale of St Mark’s Basilica
For instance, St Mark’s Basilica is rooted in an exciting tale of theft and smuggling. It was built to honor and protect the relics of Saint Mark. However, his original resting place was Alexandria. That is until two Venetian merchants smuggled it to Venice to protect it from whims of Muslim rulers.
History of Venetian Glass
Venetian glassmaking is also closely tied to the Venice’s trading with far Orient. As the trade grew, the skills these exotic lands started to flow to the floating city. Since glass-blowing was more an Oriental skill than a European, Venice gained a huge advantage against its biggest trading rival Genoa which focused on trading with European countries!
Interesting right? Do you want to know more? Book your St Mark’s Basilica Tour with Glass Blowing Demonstration today and make your visit to Venice memorable.