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Can someone explain the options for St. Marks in Venice?

Posted by (Colorado) on

I was there years ago and didn't really spend much time in the cathedral, but now I would like to go back and really see it all slowly, but it seems like things have changed according to some confusing information I find online.

I remember there being a treasury but today I don't see any mention of a treasury on their website, it only lists:

  • Basilica 3€
  • Museum & Loggia dei Cavalli 7€
  • Pala d’Oro 5€

Is the treasury now part of the museum or part of the Pala d’Oro? Are they not charging for it so the don't list it for tickets?

Is the baptistery still free and open as part of the Basilica fee?

Is the only way to get a good look at the Prophets Dome/Emmanuel Dome mosaics near the high altar by paying to see the Pala d’Oro? If so are you rushed through that area or do you go through and spend as much time as you like?

It looks like they have changed a lot due to how many more people are now visiting Venice compared to before

Posted by
17169 posts

The museum and loggia are upstairs and there has long been an extra charge to do that. We always do, as I love seeing both the original bronze horses (inside) and the replicas outside on the terrace overlooking Piazza San Marco. We actually spend more time there than we do circling the basilica floor.

We have not yet paid to go behind the alter to see the Pala d”Oro. If you want to see those specific mosaics, maybe you can tell from the map on this page if they are on the route:

https://basilicasanmarco.skiperformance.com/en/store#/en/buy?skugroup_id=2524

Posted by
274 posts

You might be thinking of the Treasury at St. Peter's Basilica.
I bought 2 timed-entry combo tickets to see Basilica S. Marco, the Pala d'Oro, and the Museum Loggia Cavalli for 20 Euros each for our trip to Venice last October. We weren't rushed at all in any area of the Basilica. In fact, we spent at least 30 minutes upstairs admiring the Cavalli from all angles.

Posted by
127 posts

@Reederman
The treasury when I saw it was located in the south transept to the right of the Pala d’Oro. The museum was/is called the "Loggia dei Cavalli" it's the one upstairs with the 4 horses you access up the stair case in the narthex near the entrance to the cathedral and has a view of the nave from above and the exterior over St. Mark's Square.

In regard to rushing I'm referring to the Pala d’Oro, it's in a much smaller area than the Loggia dei Cavalli. :-)

Posted by
50 posts

The Pala D'Oro is a separate ticket--you can add it on to other tickets.
It is magnificent--I thought it was well worth the price. It's been a few years, but no one was rushing you so you could really take your time to view it.

Posted by
27591 posts

There's a line to walk past the Pala d'Oro. I wanted to take a few quick photos, so I stepped back a bit rather than walking straight through.

The Treasury wasn't open in September 2022. I think someone told me the quarters were too tight (given COVID?).

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