After Hour San Marco Visit

Context has obtained permission to enter the Basilica of San Marco after opening hours—providing visitors the opportunity to explore this icon of Venice in relative solitude. Accompanied by one of our scholars, we will have the chance to explore the history, function, and iconography of the church that functioned as the Doge's private basilica for over one thousand years.

We will begin our seminar in Piazza San Marco spend a significant amount of time here exploring the history, architecture, and urban development of the square and its buildings. The second hour will be spent inside the Basilica, where we will explore the lush mosaics that adorn the interior, which were executed over a period of eight centuries. This is an unparalleled opportunity to visit the Basilica away from the crowds, allowing the beauty of the space to come to life.

This event is part of our Out of Context lecture series, and is only currently being held on April 20 and May 19 at 6:30 pm. As reservations to the Basilica are difficult to obtain, we must have at least 6 months notice to possibly plan a visit upon request.

Context Venice's visit to Basilica San Marco will be led by a selection of five docents and opened to just twenty-five people. In other words, we'll be breaking everyone up into small, six-person (or smaller) seminar groups once we get inside.

Context is a network of architects, historians, and art historians who organize walking seminars for intellectually curious travelers in the world's cultural capitals. Our walks last anywhere from three hours to all day, and provide an in-depth alternative to traditional tours.