Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark's Basilica)

This astonishing cathedral was finished in 1094. The dark inside has been covered up under the spell of an enormous amount of relics, brought along from all over the world and also houses one of the most revered religious images of Venice, the icon of the Madonna of Nicopeia. Golden mosaics line every inch of the ceiling, while flames behind red candleholders flicker in the lamps. The Byzantine influence is evident especially on the outside facade and domes. Other points of interest include: the atrium, the baptistery, Pala d'Oro, and the Marciano Museum and Loggia dei Cavalli.