They smuggled the remains to Italy in barrels of pork ... center gable on the exterior of the basilica, you can even see a statue of St. Mark along with Venice's emblem: a lion with wings.

Venice, Italy, is a captivating blend of history ... Visit the magnificent Piazza San Marco, home to the awe-inspiring Basilica di San Marco and the Campanile bell tower. Experience Venice ...

While San Marco holds Venice's architectural ... No neighborhood in Italy can be complete without a church. In Dorsoduro, visit the octagonal Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute.

Venice is famously a far-from-cheap destination but you don't have to spend lots of money to enjoy it. The city is so fascinating architecturally, historically and culturally that just marvelling ...