The Giardini Reali (Royal Garden) is located in Venice, Italy, adjacent to St. Mark's Square. At the beginning of the twentieth century, the gardens were in poor condition and in need of repairs, so they were donated to the City of Venice. The Venice City Council and the Venice Gardens Foundation worked together to restore the gardens, and the gardens are now open to the public.
We walked through the gardens on our way to Saint Mark's Square, but did not stop and enjoy the peaceful surroundings.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Piazza San Marco (St Mark's Square) is the principal public square of Venice and is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site "Venice and its Lagoons." The most photographed structures in the square are Palazzo Ducale, Basilica di San Marco, St. Mark's Campanile, and Museo Correr.
Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace) is located at the southeast corner of Saint Mark's Square, facing Canal Grande. The building was constructed in 810 as government offices, a jail, and the residence of the Doge of Venice. Over the centuries, there have been numerous expansions and modifications to the building, and in 1923, it was converted into a museum.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Attached to the north side of Palazzo Ducale is the Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica), which houses the relics of Saint Mark the Evangelist, the city's patron saint. This is the third church to be built on the site, with construction beginning in 1063. Palazzo Ducale and the Basilica are located on the east side of Saint Mark's Square.
Over many centuries, the Basilica's interior dome, vaults, and upper walls were covered with gold-ground mosaics, which were later retouched or replaced with other materials. Each Administration made architectural changes to the Basilica as artistic styles and tastes changed. In the thirteenth century, many columns, reliefs, and sculptures were embellished with precious stones and rare marbles.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
The entrance door to St Mark's is believed to date back to the construction of the current building.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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There is a silver Gothic altar screen in front of the chancel, dated 1394.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Covering the high altar is a baldacchino with remarkable carvings on its legs.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
The Pala d'Oro is one of the finest examples of Byzantine enamel in the world and features many precious stones. It was commissioned in 976 by Doge Pietro Orseolo and expanded in 1105 by Doge Ordelafo Faliero. In 1342, Paolo Veneziano was commissioned to make wood panels to cover the Pala when it was not on display. In the 15th century, Veneziano's panels were replaced with a wooden panel by Pala Feriale, and in 1995, Feriale's wooden panel underwent conservation treatment that was funded by Save Venice Inc. The Pala is now on display and not covered.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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We walked past several Side Altars and Chapels as we walked around the Basilica.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
By following a narrow staircase, it was possible to reach a balcony that connected to a museum and overlooked the lower levels of the Bisalica. Fortunately, they gave Sophia a covering for her "immodest" top (bare shoulders).
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
A mosaic fragment depicting a Pious women was discovered in 1955, when a wooden panel was being removed. It is part of a Deposition, and displayed with another small fragment of weeping angles.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
On display was a 14th-century mosaic fragment The Magi Meeting Herod. The original painting is located in the Chora Church, Istanbul, Turkey.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
The double bass made by Casparo Bertolotti (1542-1609) was owned by Domenico Carlo Maria Dragonetti (1763-1864), who was one of the most famous bassists in the world.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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The Triumphal Quadriga (Horses of Saint Mark) is a monument depicting four horses used in chariot racing.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
Before we left the Basilica, we found an outdoor balcony where we could take pictures of St. Mark's Square.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
The Clock Tower and the clock date back to the 15th century, but the mechanism has been modernized. Twice a year, the door on the left opens, and three Magi, led by an angel, emerge, then exit through the doorway on the right. Unfortunately, we were not there on one of the two days.
On top of the tower are two "Moors" that are hinged at the waist and strike the hours on the bell.
Below the clock is an entrance to the main part of the city.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Web Picture - Photographer Unknown |
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| Web Picture - Photographer Unknown |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
While standing on the Basilica's balcony, we could see the Bacino San Marco (San Marco Basin). After taking pictures, we found a stairway leading to an exit door and back to St Mark's Square.
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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| Picture by Kolohe |
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