The bronze horses on the facade of Basilica San Marco in Venice are replicas. ( They are not looking their best now anyway as the facade is under scaffolding )
The originals were installed on the balcony above the door in about 1254. They were well travelled by the time they arrived in Venice. They possibly once adorned the Arch of Trajan and they were on display at the Hippodrome of Constantinople.
In 1204 Doge Dandolo sent them back to Venice. They were on the move again when Napoleon borrowed them and took them to Paris in 1797. They were returned to Venice in 1815.
The horses were restored slowly and carefully from the 1970s and are now on display in the museum inside the basilica. They are very impressive and you can get quite close to them.
To get to the museum, take the steps inside the entrance to the basilica. It is well worth the climb and for €5 you get to see the museum, a bird’s eye view of the interior of the cathedral and walk on the outside terrace for views of Piazza San Marco…I’ll show you those another day.
What marvellous history. Very handsome horses.
By: Dianne Cant on June 18, 2014
at 11:36 am
The horses are gorgeous, and in such good shape when you consider their age.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:46 pm
so beautiful dear Debra, Thank you, love, nia
By: niasunset on June 18, 2014
at 11:40 am
The horses are amazing. I am so glad I got to see them up close.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:47 pm
They are lovely and what skill there was to cast them so beautifully.
By: Jan on June 18, 2014
at 12:13 pm
They are nearly 900 years old…amazing.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:47 pm
Gosh, those sculptures are stunning! Imagine the work involved in restoring them!
Hugs from Ecuador,
Kathy
By: Kathryn McCullough on June 18, 2014
at 12:14 pm
I wonder what state they were in. After having been outside in the weather for so long, it is amazing that they exist at all.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:49 pm
Great article, Debra. Looking forward to seeing more on Piazza San Marco. One of my favourite places not only in Italy, but in the whole world.
By: Mulino Dominillo on June 18, 2014
at 12:45 pm
I love Venice and particulalry San Marco. It is gorgeous.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:50 pm
Absolutely gorgeous, Debra. 🙂 How wonderful that they’ve been preserved and restored to their former beauty.
By: anotherday2paradise on June 18, 2014
at 12:50 pm
It is great that they look so good after all these years.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:50 pm
Fabulous photos and great most as usual!!!
Thank you
By: Maxine on June 18, 2014
at 1:04 pm
Thanks, you are not really supposed to take photos in the basilica, but everyone else was so I pulled out my camera too.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:51 pm
Such magnificent equine specimens!! Each with its own expression…bellismo!
By: Sandra Hoopmann on June 18, 2014
at 1:44 pm
The horses are stunning. How clever those peole were.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:52 pm
I’ll have to visit the museum on my next trip.
By: aFrankAngle on June 19, 2014
at 1:29 am
You must, it is full of treasures.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 19, 2014
at 3:52 pm
Great horses – perhaps of arab blood?
By: Francis on June 19, 2014
at 5:45 pm
They are beautiful horses, possibly Arab.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 21, 2014
at 6:08 am
What beautiful and well-travelled horses.
By: Just Add Attitude on June 19, 2014
at 6:47 pm
I think they are gorgeous.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 21, 2014
at 6:09 am
Can you imagine what those horses have seen? 😮
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on June 20, 2014
at 9:38 pm
If only they could talk.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 21, 2014
at 6:10 am
I was in Venice on the same day! Cool
By: halyse23 on June 21, 2014
at 2:45 pm
Perhaps we passed each other in Piazza San Marco.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 21, 2014
at 4:20 pm
They are magnificent! I sneaked photos too 🙂
By: Madhu on June 22, 2014
at 11:02 am
We were the first group in for the day. I usually behave and don’t take photos, but everyone had their cameras out and nothing was said, so I joined in.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 22, 2014
at 9:28 pm
I remember seeing the originals when I visited Venice years ago. They are magnificent. Any idea who sculpted them?
By: Jackie Cangro on June 22, 2014
at 1:26 pm
I don’t think anyone is sure who created the horses.
By: Debra Kolkka on June 22, 2014
at 9:33 pm
[…] There was a tiny queue outside waiting to get into the basilica. The church itself is closed for restoration, but the museum above is open. I have been a couple of times (The bronze horses of San Marco ) […]
By: Venice and covid 19 | Bagni di Lucca and Beyond on June 28, 2020
at 8:59 pm