latter separated from the former by glorious Byzantine arcades, carrying an open gallery. The Nave has a Dome, and two large Arches span its outer and inner ends. It is entered from the Vestibule by the Door of St. Mark. The L. or N. Aisle is entered from the Vestibule by the Door of St. Peter, who, as we shall see hereafter, was regarded as St. Mark’s spiritual father. The R. or S. Aisle is entered from the Vestibule by the Door of St. Clement. Each of these doors has above it, externally, a mosaic of the saint whose name it bears.
The Central Area has a Dome covered with ancient mosaics. To R. and L., at its East End, are two magnificent early Pulpits, or ambones. A Screen topped by four-teen statues separates it from the choir or Presbytery.
The Transepts, like the Nave, are provided with Aisles, which are separated from the main portion of each Transept by arcades carrying open galleries. These galleries answer to, or foreshadow, the Triforium of Northern cathedrals.
The N. or L. Transept has a Dome, also covered with mosaics. It is approached trom the N. branch of the Vestibule by the Door of St. John. Its East End forms a separate Chapel, formerly dedicated to St. John, but now to the Madonna. The little Chapel at the end of the W. Aisle of this Transept is that of the Madonna dei Mascoli.
The S. or R. Transept has also a Dome, with very few mosaic figures. Its East End contains the Chapel of the Holy Sacrament, where the Host is exposed, with a light continually burning before it. This was formerly the Chapel of St. Leonard.
The East Arm of the cross consists of three portions, each with an Apse at its extremity.
The Central Part of the E. End, behind the Screen bearing the fourteen mediaeval statues, is the Presbytery. It contains the High Altar, covered by a rich canopy, which is supported by four curiously-sculptured columns. Under this High Altar rests the Body of St. Mark, to whom the whole church is dedicated. In the semicircular Apse at the back is another altar, that of the Holy Cross.
The Asidal Chapel to the L. of the Presbytery is that of St. Peter. The Apsidal Chapel to the R. of the Presbytery is that of St. Clement. Each is approached by a small vestibule or ante-chapel.
Do not attempt to fix all these points at once in your memory, but endeavour to gain at first sight as clear a conception as you can of the four main arms of the church, with their aisles or side-chapels. Remember that the whole building falls into five main portionsthe Centre, and the North, South, East, and West branches, each marked by its own Dome. Other points will become clearer in the sequel.
I do not think it well for the visitor to attempt to grasp the general scheme of the decoration till after he has examined much of the church in detail. I therefore postpone the consideration of the meaning and relation of the various parts till we have inspected together many of the mosaics and sculptures. Those however who prefer to understand these leading principles beforehand, and: to use them as a clue on their way, will find them on page 76.
Fuller information about St. Mark’s as a whole will be found in Canon Pasini’s Guide de la Basilique St. Marc: an admirable account of the mosaics is given in Corn. Saccardo’s Les Mosaiques de St. Marc. Both books can be procured at Ongania’s in the Piazza (S. W. corner).