Pala D'oro

Lonely Planet review

Behind the altar at the Basilica di San Marco, the exquisite Pala d'Oro is a gold, enamel and jewel-encrusted altarpiece (measuring 384cm by 212cm) made in Constantinople for Doge Pietro Orseolo I in 976. It was enriched and reworked in Constantinople in 1105, enlarged by Venetian goldsmiths in 1209 and reset in the 14th century. Among the almost 2000 stones that adorn it are 526 pearls, 320 emeralds, rubies, amethysts, sapphires, jasper, topaz and coralline.

Depicted in the altarpiece are, along the top, scenes from the life of Christ and beyond, ranging from the entry into Jerusalem to the death of the Virgin Mary, interrupted by an image of the Archangel Michael. Further down is an image of Christ Pantocrator, surrounded by the four Evangelists. On either side are angels, the 12 Apostles and prophets. At the bottom appears the Virgin Mary flanked by the Eastern Emperor and Empress. The whole is framed by New Testament scenes.