Saint Mark's Square has been the hub of Venetian social and political life for more than a thousand years, and at its heart you'll find the eye-shatteringly beautiful St. Mark's Basilica. Get skip-the-line access to this iconic local landmark and learn more about it with an insightful guided tour. St. Mark's first became a church way back in 828, when a couple of merchants smuggled the body of St. Mark out of Egypt in a barrel of pork fat (as the legend goes). This risky mission was because an angel told St. Mark that Venice would be his final resting place, and the Venetian leaders did not want that angel to be a liar. Since that time the church has risen and fallen and risen again. Today, St. Mark's Basilica is not just Venice's finest church, it's one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in the world. Your tour will give you context on the history of the Venetian Republic, and insights into the magnificence of the gleaming Basilica.

Note: Shoulders and knees must be covered. Large bags and suitcases aren't allowed. The tour may be affected in case of high tides

Duration: 1 hour