hapel 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).