The Basilica of San Marco is the main cathedral of Venice, for centuries being the center of public and religious life in Venice. All the most important state ceremonies took place here: dedications of the Doges of the Venetian Republic, presentation of signs of power to the Venetian naval commanders and condottiers, city-wide prayers and celebrations. The history of the Basilica began on January 31, 828, when the relics of St. Mark were brought by two merchants from Alexandria to Venice. To place the relics near the Doge's Palace, the Basilica was built. Saint Mark becomes the patron saint of Venice, and the winged lion becomes the symbol of the city. The original Basilica burned down during the fire of 976, in 1063 the construction of a new church began, which was completed in 1071, and in 1094 it was solemnly consecrated. Over the following centuries, the Basilica expanded and decorated: in 1159, work began on marble cladding of the cathedral, in the XII century mosaics of central domes and vaults were completed, in 1343-1354 the baptistery and chapel of St. Isidore were added, in the XV century the chapel of Mascolo and sacristy, in the years 1504-1521 - the chapel of Zen. The basilica has the shape of a Greek cross with five domes. Five entrances adorned with monumental carved portals lead to the cathedral, part of the marble reliefs brought from Byzantium. The facades are decorated with mosaics, wood carvings, sculptures and bas-reliefs. Above the main entrance to the temple rises a bronze quadriga - four horses racing galloping. Currently, an exact copy is installed on the facade, and the original of gilded bronze and silver is stored in the Museum of San Marco. The interior of the Basilica is striking in its grandeur and wealth. Domes, arches and the upper level of the walls of the cathedral are decorated with mosaic paintings, which for four centuries were created by Byzantine and Venetian masters. The floor of the temple is lined with colorful marble tiles. A massive bronze crucifix decorated with silver, created by the Venetian craftsman Jacopo di Marco Bennato, rises above the altar barrier. In the altar of the Basilica is one of the main shrines of Venice - Pala d'Oro (Golden Altar). It was brought to Venice from Constantinople and is kept in the Basilica of San Marco. In the center of the altar is the figure of Christ proclaiming to the world: "I am the Light." The doors of the altar are decorated with medallions with enamel images of emperors and saints. The altar is decorated with gold, silver and 1927 precious stones, including emeralds, sapphires and rubies. The altar of the Cathedral of San Marco is distinguished by luxury, splendor, subtlety of jewelry work and the significance of the images of Christ and the evangelists. To the left of the main altar is an altar with the icon of Madonna Nicopea, written in the X century. In the chapel of St. Isidore there is a marble tomb, in which St. Isidore is buried, in the Baptistery the Doge Andrea Dandolo is buried - one of the most outstanding figures of Venice, a friend of Petrarch. The vaults of the baptistery are covered with a continuous carpet of mosaics, and in the center there is a marble font created at the beginning of the 16th century by the sculptor Jacopo Sansovino. The San Marco Museum was founded at the end of the 19th century on the initiative of Pietro Saccardo. It presents fragments of the early mosaics of the Basilica, an exposition of precious fabrics, icons and ancient choirs. The treasury of the Basilica of San Marco has survived to the present day, it contains a part of the ancient temple treasury, consisting of trophies and relics that were taken out by the Venetians from Byzantium, the Middle East, Egypt and Persia. In 1807, on the orders of Napoleon, the Department of the Patriarch of Venice was transferred from the Church of San Pietro di Castello to the Basilica, and the Basilica of San Marco becomes the Cathedral of Venice. In 1987, San Marco Cathedral was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.