Basilica San Marco: Porta Maggiore

The three arches of the Porta Maggiore (central doorway) of the Basilica San Marco are decorated with a series of beautiful carvings, which date back to the middle of the 13th century.

On the intrados of the upper arch are carvings illustrating Venetian trades, while on the extrados are bas-reliefs of Christ and the Prophets.

The middle arch depicts the twelve months of the year and signs of the zodiac on its underside and the Virtues and Beatitudes on the outer face.  

The lower arch has the Earth, the Ocean and seven pairs of animals on the intrados and scenes of daily life on the extrados. 
The central arch of the Basilica San Marco, Venice
Porta Maggiore, Basilica San Marco
13th century bas-relief of the month of January, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
January
13th century bas-relief of the month of February, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
February
13th century bas-relief of the month of March, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
March
13th century bas-relief of the month of April, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
April
13th century bas-relief of the month of May, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
May
13th century bas-relief of the month of June, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
June
13th century bas-relief of the month of July, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
July
13th century bas-relief of the month of August, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
August
13th century bas-relief of the month of September, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
September
13th century bas-relief of the month of October, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
October
13th century bas-relief of the month of November, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
November
13th century bas-relief of the month of December, Central door, Basilica San Marco, Venice
December