Sunday afternoon in Venice: St Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace tour

This fascinating tour is the perfect chance to discover Venice’s most famous landmarks in a pleasant afternoon itinerary... you will visit ‘St Mark’s Basilica & Doge’s Palace’ at a very special time, which allows you to admire the splendour of those landmarks in a different light. 

This guided tour will take you inside St Mark’s Basilica, where the tour guide will explain you all the secrets and characteristics of its unique Italo-Byzantine architecture, or rather, a Basilica initially built to house the precious relics of San Marco, stolen by two merchants of Venice in Alexandria of Egypt. It was the location for the great public ceremonies of the state, such as the installation and burials of Doges. The function of the Basilica remained the same until 1807, after the end of the Venetian Republic, when the basilica finally became subject to the local bishop, the Patriarch of Venice.

During your visit you will see also the famous Pala D’oro, which was ordered from Constantinople and installed on the high altar in 1105; it is made with almost two thousand precious stones, gold and cloisonné enamels: a masterpiece of Byzantine art considered one of the most precious objects in the world!

Adjacent to St Mark’s Basilica, there is the Doge’s Palace. A sumptuous palace, residence of the Doge of Venice for centuries, the supreme authority. This palace was built presumably from the ninth century onwards, and gradually transformed over the centuries until it reached today’s elegant appearance. The Doge’s Palace represented the power and grandeur of the Republic of Venice until its fall.

Here you will admire painting masterpieces, sophisticated furniture and countless historical and artistic treasures.

Not to be missed the famous Scala dei Giganti, with the statues of Mars and Neptune carved by Sansovino at. Mark’ nd the charming Scala d'Oro.

This guided tour includes also a visit to the Bridge of Sighs, the elegant structure suspended between the Doge's Palace and the New Prisons which owes its name to the tragic destiny of the condemned men who crossed it: crossing the Bridge of Sighs meant abandoning their freedom before being imprisoned in the New Prisons.

This is simply a fascinating afternoon tour which shows you the best of Venice in just two hours!

Treat yourself to an unforgettable Sunday afternoon among the great classics of Venice! St Mark’s Basilica and the Doge’s Palace will allow you to discover the past and present of the city that the whole world adores.