21 – Museo di San Marco
21 – Museo di San Marco. The museum was established at the end of the 19th, it is located inside the Basilica di San Marco, in Venice.
Recently re-opened, after it underwent a significant extension of the Museum’s floor area; between the Basilica’s vestibule and the former Doge’s “Sala dei Banchetti” (Banquet Hall).
It houses artifacts of various kinds and origins, that belong to the church. One of the most prestigious works is the “quadriga” (Four Horses) of St. Mark’s; moved from its original position in the centre of the external facade, after the last restoration.
After your tour, spend time on the outdoor terrace; which is great for photographery and has great panoramic views of the Piazza San Marco and across to the Bacino as well as the crowds below.
What to see
Location – Ticket Prices and Attractions Within – Prayer access details
To 25 recommended Museums
Links (internal – external)
- Artifacts of various kinds and origins, that belong to the church
- The original Four Horses of St Mark’s (quadriga)
- Get close up to the wonderful wall and ceiling mosaics
- Outdoor terrace; with great panoramic views of the Piazza San Marco and across to the Bacino and people watching.
- Suggested time: 1-2 hours
Above: The Basilica di San Marco in St Mark’s Square. Directly above the five main e arches is the “Loggia dei Cavalli“; accessed through door, near to right hand side Flagpole.
21 – Museo di San Marco 21 – Museo di San Marco 21 – Museo di San Marco
What to see 21 – Museo di San Marco
Accessed by a narrrow and fairly steep staircase, leading up from the right hand side of the Basilica’s atrium, the museum transports visitors to the level of the church’s rear mosaics and out onto the Loggia dei Cavalli; the terrace above the main facade’s wonderful arches. The four magnificent bronze horses externally positioned here, are actually reproductions of the precious 2nd-century originals; plundered from Constantinople’s hippodrome and displayed inside.
Architecture buffs, will revel in the beautifully rendered drawings and scale models of the basilica. In the displays of 13th – to 16th-century mosaic fragments, the Prophet Abraham is all ears and raised eyebrows; as though scandalised by Venetian gossip. Positioned above an interior balcony, Salviati’s restored 1542–52 mosaic of the Virgin’s family tree, shows Mary’s ancestors perched on branches; alternately chatting and ignoring one another, as families do.
A corridor leads into a section of the Palazzo Ducale, housing the doge’s banquet hall; where dignitaries wined and dined among lithe stucco figures of Music, Poetry and Peace. In the Sala dei Banchetti, there is the weekday altar-piece by Paolo Veneziano, a painting on wood dating to the mid-14th century; illustrating stories from the life of St. Mark. It was used long ago to cover the “pala d’oro“.
The Museum also contains Persian carpets, liturgical vestments, illuminated manuscripts with the texts of St. Mark liturgies and fragments of ancient mosaics; removed during restoration in the 19th century. Then there are tapestries in wool, with episodes from the Passion of Christ and others in silk and silver; illustrating stories of St. Mark’.
Note: For my comprehensive and illustrated posts on the Basilica and the Four Horses of St Mark’s; please see my linked posts below
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Location – Tickets and Concessions – Prayer Access Guidelines 21 – Museo di San Marco
Location
Basilica di San Marco
San Marco, 328
30124 Venice
Telephone: +39 041 2708311
Email: [email protected]
Tickets and Concessions
Here’s a breakdown of ticket prices and popular options for visiting St. Mark’s Basilica in Venice as of 2025:
You can book directly through St. Mark’s Basilica’s official site (linked below) or authorized vendors.
You can visit the Museum and Outside Terrace only
| Ticket Type | Description | Price (EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Entry | Timed entry to the nave, mosaics, and Pala d’Oro | €18–20 |
| Priority Entry | Skip-the-line access with icons tour | €28 |
| Terrace Access | Includes panoramic views from the terrace | €30 |
| Evening Entry | After-hours visit with special lighting | €35 |
| Fast Entry + Audioguide | Skip-the-line with multilingual audio guide | €19 |
| Combo: Basilica + Doge’s Palace | Guided tour of both landmarks | €63.50 |
| Super Combo: Basilica + Doge’s Palace + Transport + Audioguide | All-in-one Venice experience | €97 |
| Pala d’Oro Add-on | Alone or Supplement to standard ticket | €5 |
| Museum – Loggia dei Cavalli | Supplement to standard ticket | €7 |
| Children (0–6 years) | Free entry | €0 |
Prayer Access Guideline
Dedicated entrance: Worshippers can enter through a separate door – .Porta dei Fiori (Door of Flowers), located on the north side of the basilica, facing the Piazzetta dei Leoncini andusually marked for prayer or liturgical access.
No ticket required: You do not need to book or pay if you’re entering solely to pray.
Restricted areas: Prayer access is typically limited to the main nave or designated chapels, not the full tourist route (e.g., terrace, museum, Pala d’Oro).
Quiet hours preferred: Early morning or late afternoon are ideal for peaceful prayer without heavy tourist traffic.
Mass attendance: You’re welcome to attend Mass services, which also do not require a ticket.
Tne Museum is NOT part of the MUvE scheme
Top 25 Museums of Venice
Select your museum and click on the link below:
1 – Palazzo Ducale (The Doge’s Palace)
2 – Peggy Guggenheim Collection
6 – Scuola Grande di San Rocco
7 – San Servolo Insa*e Asylum Museum
8 – Palazzo Grassi (Francois Pinault Collection)
11 – Fondazione Querini Stampalia
16 – Museo di Storia Naturale di Venezia
18 – Museo Storico Navale di Venezia
20 – Fondazione Emilio e Annabianca Vedova
21 – Museo di San Marco (not linked)
24 – Museo Provinciale di Torcello
25 – Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Venezia
Links (internal–external)
Official Website of Basilica which includes the Museum
VIDEO 5mins:Saint Mark’s Basilica, Venice
Note for visiting the Basilica: To skip the line at the basilica entrance during the busiest times of the year; reserve your arrival on the website, at no extra cost. Remember that this is a sacred place: guards will deny admission to people in shorts, sleeveless dresses and tops.
To widen your experience and enjoyment before visiting, please see my comprehensive and illustrated posts, linked below:
San Marco – District and Attractions
21 – Museo di San Marco 21 – Museo di San Marco 21 – Museo di San Marco