The Palazzo Ducale, or Doge’s Palace, was the seat of the government of Venice for nearly 1,000 years as well as being the home of the Doge (elected ruler of Venice). Now it’s lavishly decorated rooms & halls display art works by Bellini, Carpaccio, Bartolemeo, Gallina, Bonazza, Titian, Baratta plus the giant "Paradise" by Domienico & Jacobo Tintoretto in Sal del Maggior Consiglio and "Battle of Lepanto" by Vicentino. There are gilded stucco ceiling by Alessandro Vittoria, fresco ceilings by Titian, "Golden Staircase" by Sansovino, "Giant's Staircase" by Rizzo with the Statues of Mars & Neptune by Sansovino.
Saint Mark's Basilica is one of the best known examples of Italo-Byzantine architecture and connects to the Doge's Palace. Originally it was the chapel of the Doge, only becoming the city's cathedral in 1807. The first St Mark's was built in 828, when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria, this church was burned down in the 976 rebellion. Around 1073, the present basilica was constructed. In 1094 the body supposed that of Saint Mark was rediscovered. Because of its opulent design, gold ground mosaics, and its status as a symbol of Venetian wealth and power, from the 11th century, its nickname was Chiesa d'Oro (Church of gold). The marble floor (from 12th century) is entirely tessellated in geometric patterns and animal designs.