Saint Mark's Baptistery treasures in Venice

Away from the crowds of visitors who flock to St Mark's Basilica in Venice every day is the baptistery, a charming place and full of hidden treasures.

Here, for example, you can see the tomb of the doge Andrea Dandolo, who gave the Baptistery its current appearance during the 14th century.
This doge was the last to be buried in St Mark's Basilica and his tomb is a masterpiece of Gothic sculpture: the work of De Sanctis, it is decorated with beautiful three-dimensional engravings representing the Martyrdom of Saint Andrew and Saint John the Evangelist, with a body of the doge lying on the urn.

In the centre of the room stands a beautiful baptismal font in marble and bronze, by the famous Renaissance sculptor Jacopo Sansovino.
He made a bas-relief on the cover with eight sectors representing four scenes from the life of John the Baptist and the four Evangelists, and on top a statue of St. John the Baptist by Francesco Segala.

The altar consists of a large boulder of red granite, brought here from Tiro in 1126 and from which, according to tradition, Christ spoke to the crowds.

We cannot fail to mention the splendid mosaic decoration, built in the 14th century, which chronicles the life of John the Baptist, and stands among the splendid scene of the dance of Salome.

St Mark's Baptistery in Venice is open from Tuesday to Saturday and only with the following tour:
St Mark's Basilica and its Treasures and booking online at venetoinside.com.