Narthex
St.Mark’s Basilica, Venice

The narthex of the Basilica of St. Mark – the area situated between the central naves and the principal façade of the church – originally a simple arcade in paleo Christian and byzantine basilicas, acquired its actual aspect and dimensions between the 12th and 13th century. The Serenissima close relationship with maritime and commercial routes is depicted through the colors used for the work, such as antique green, black Aquitaine and porphyry red. The narthex is also a rich architectural structure; its variety of marbles, columns and capitals simply hold an aesthetic function.