About St Mark's Basilica Night Tour
Why Book a St Mark's Basilica Night Tour?
There are many reasons why you should book a Saint Mark's Basilica night tour. Some of them are as follows:
- Get a chance to explore St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice, during the night hours with exclusive access.
- Take a look at the historic mosaics in the Basilica and the classic Renaissance architecture.
- Walk with a professional guide and learn about the history and significance of St Mark's Basilica.
- Immerse yourself in the knowledge shared by a professional guide who can speak multiple languages.
- Get exclusive access to unique places in St Mark's Basilica at night, like Pala d’Oro and the underground crypts.
- Enjoy the night tour with a small group of travelers, which helps you explore at a comfortable pace without distractions.
Highlights Of St Mark's Basilica Night Tour
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Popularly known as St Mark's Square, it's the most historically significant square in the region. You can check out many ancient buildings here such as Doge's Palace, Saint Mark's Bell Tower, and more. Don’t forget to spend some time at ancient cafes like Cafe Quadri, Cafe Florian, and others which are as old as 3 centuries.
Admire the golden mosaics which cover more than 4,000 square meters of the basilica's interior. You'll be amazed to know that most of them were made back in the 12th century. Later, some additions were also made by various artists like Tintoretto and Titian. Many mosaics are made from real gold, giving the church the nickname 'The Church of Gold'.
Suggested Read: St. Mark’s Basilica Paintings
The Pala d'Oro is a very precious altar based on the exotic Byzantine design. It is known to be studded with priceless stones. You will notice that the upper section of the altar portrays the Life of Christ and Archangel Michael. Whereas, the altar’s bottom section describes the life of Saint Mark through the detailed carvings.
Checkout : Pala d'oro in St Mark's Basilica
Check out the Marciana Library, located in front of the Doge's Palace. Listed among the biggest libraries in Italy, it holds historic collections of classical records. You can also admire the architecture of the library. It is based on Venetian Renaissance designs made by the popular designer Jacopo Sansovino. You will also find many ancient records such as Homer's Iliad and the Breviario Grimani.
Suggested Read: St. Mark's Basilica Altar
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Get a chance to explore the crypt on a night tour of St Mark's Basilica. It is known to be Saint Mark's resting place and is home to a variety of artifacts. Experience the mysterious ambiance of the crypt located under the basilica. It is dimly lit and admire the beauty of a world that exists under the basilica.
Must Checkout: St. Mark’s Basilica Floors
Visit the Bell Tower near the St Mark's Basilica at night. It is known as the tallest building in the city and was built more than 900 years ago. The tower stands tall at a height of more than 300 feet and is made out of brick. You can admire the 4 elegant bronze horses at the top, which were brought to the town from Constantinople.
Also Checkout: St. Mark’s Basilica Entrances
Know Before You Go For St Mark's Basilica Night Tour
1 Opening Hours: The usual opening hours for travelers visiting the basilica during the daytime are from 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM, every day. However, a night tour for the same typically begins around 7:00 PM and ends at 9:30 PM approximately. The tour also includes special access to the mysterious underground crypts of Saint Mark.
2 Dress Code: There is no specific dress code required to be followed by travelers visiting the basilica. However, it's recommended that you follow a basic and modest dressing sense. Men should wear full pants and their shoulders must be covered. Women, on the other hand, should avoid mini skirts, shorts, crop tops, and sleeve t-shirts. They should prefer wearing pants that cover their knees, and shirts that don’t reveal shoulders.
3 How to Reach: You can choose to walk from Piazza San Marco to the city center, where the basilica is located. Alternatively, you can also take a water bus (Vaporetto) to San Zaccaria stop. Upon reaching, you will be able to notice road signs that lead to the basilica. So, you’ll just need to follow them until you reach the Basilica.
Checkout: Best Time to Visit St. Mark’s Basilica
There are 3 entrances to Saint Mark's Basilica - Prota De Fiori (Main Entrance), Museum Entrance, and Pala d’Oro Entrance (for Pala d'Oro). Through the main entrance, you'll see an area that has a variety of cafes and shops. Whereas, the Museum Entrance will help you spot the majestic bronze horses. The Pala d’Oro Entrance leads you to the altar, which is made of precious gems, and gold.
Suggested Read: St. Mark's Basilica Dress Code
It is recommended that you maintain respectful behavior within the Basilica since it is a place of worship. You may find that photography is not permitted in some of the zones. Additionally, if you want to opt for a commercial shoot, you shall get permission from relevant authorities in advance. Travelers should also avoid speaking loudly or causing disturbance to others around.
Checkout: Tips to Visit St.Mark's Basilica
FAQs
How to visit St. Mark's at Night?
You can visit Saint Mark’s at night by booking St Mark's Basilica night tour tickets. With these tours, you will be able to explore St. Mark's Basilica as well as nearby attractions such as St Mark’s Bell Tower, Doge’s Palace, and more. Enjoy special access to hidden zones like the underground crypts.
What is the best time at night to visit St. Mark's Basilica?
St Mark's Basilica night tour typically starts at around 7:30 PM and ends at 9:00 PM. It is the best time to visit the basilica because it helps you dodge the heavy crowds that visit in the daytime. Moreover, during these hours, you will get to admire the beauty of the basilica glowing in the dark.
Is it safe to go to St. Mark's Basilica at night?
Yes, it is completely safe to visit St Mark's Basilica at night. You can book a guided night tour which is carried out in small groups of 10-12 travellers which is accompanied by a professional guide. You will get a chance to explore many things at and around the basilica including the golden mosaics, bell tower and the underground crypts.
Is there a dress code for St. Mark's Basilica?
No, there is no dress code that you need to follow during a night tour of St Mark's Basilica. However, it's recommended that you keep it respectful and modest. Men should prefer wearing full pants or denims with shirts that cover the shoulders. For women, it’s advisable to avoid mini skirts, shorts, and sleeveless dresses.
What’s included in the St Mark's Basilica night tour? 60 words
A tour of Saint Mark's Basilica at night offers an immersive experience that includes access to the basilica after daytime hours. You will also enjoy an exclusive entry into the hidden underground crypts of Saint Marks. Get a chance to learn more about the history of the place with a professional multilingual guide
What can I see on a night tour of St. Mark’s Basilica?
1 Historic Mosaics: You can take a look at the ancient mosaics that cover almost all of the Basilica's interior. Some of them are made with real gold and portray the riches of Venice.
2 Underground Crypt: Located under the basilica, the Gothic crypt is the resting place of Venetian patriarchs. The access to this area is limited, which makes it even more mysterious.
3 Pala d’Oro: Check out the Pala d'Oro, which is an altar made with precious gems and stones. Based on a Byzantine design, the altar portrays the life of Christ as well as Archangel Michael. One of its sections also depicts the life events of Saint Mark.
4 Classic Architecture: Admire the beautiful blend of Gothic and Byzantine architecture of the Basilica. You can also take a look at lavish interiors which feature priceless stones and exotic marble floorings.