Basilica San Marco: Pala d'Oro

Admission fee: €2.

---

The high altar of the Basilica San Marco is adorned with the Pala d'Oro, the church's greatest treasure. 

The Pala d'Oro (golden retable), which measures 3.5 by 1.5 meters, is made up of over 200 cloisonné enamels of different sizes and dates (10th to the 14th century) and set against a background of sheet gold.

It was commissioned by Doge Pietro Orseolo I (976-978) from craftsmen in Constantinople. In 1105 it was embellished for Doge Ordelafo Falier (1102-1118) and enlarged a century later (1209) for Doge Pietor Ziani (1205-1229).

The Pala d'Oro was finally re-set in a gilded silver  frame, embedded with numerous precious and semi-precious stones, in Venice c. 1345, the work of Giampaolo Boninsegna.

The retable is divided into two zones. The upper part depicts the Madonna, flanked by scenes from the life of Christ. The lower part is dominated by a large and lavishly bejewelled rectangle depicting Christ Enthroned. The central panel is flanked by rows of prophets, apostles and angels. the entire lower section is framed by square plaques portraying scenes from the lives of Christ and Saint Mark.
​

Pala d'Oro

Pala d'Oro

Pala d'Oro (detail)