St. Mark's Basilica

The St. Mark's Basilica one of the best known examples of Byzantine architecture.  The original was built in 828 to hold the stolen bones of St. Mark, author of the gospel of Mark.  (I wonder how he feels about his bones being stolen?).  The original church was destroyed during a rebellion, and this one you see here was started in 1093.  Much of the current exterrior was added between 1300 & 1400 to match the gothic style of the Doge's Palace.  

 For its opulent design, gilded Byzantine mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century on the building was known by the nicknameChiesa d'Oro (Church of gold).