Basilica di San Marco

The Basilica di San Marco (in English, St. Mark's Basilica) is both a house of worship and a monument to plunder: It was built to house the bones of St. Mark, whose remains had been stolen from Egypt by a pair of Venetian merchants, and the building is filled with sculptures, religious objects, and other booty that was hauled back from Constantinople and other faraway places during the Christian Crusades.

The cathedral's exterior is a riot of Byzantine architecture, with five domes and more decoration than a nouveau riche wedding cake; the interior is spectacular, with gold mosaics that come to life from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., when the church is illuminated.

Unfortunately, entrance to the Basilica is no longer free (an admission charge was added since this article was written). However, it's still a bargain, even if you spring for the more expensive "Skip the Line" ticket option.

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Basilica di San Marco