Horses of Saint Mark

The Horses of Saint Mark are a group of four bronze sculptures on the facade of the basilica in Venice, Italy. Each figure measures 238 centimeters in height and weighs about 850 kilograms, cast from an unusually pure copper alloy.

The horses came to Venice as war trophies in 1204 after crusaders conquered Constantinople. They had previously stood in the city's Hippodrome, likely since Roman times or earlier.

The name recalls their placement above the main entrance of the basilica, where they have served as a symbol of the city for centuries. Visitors recognize the four horses today as part of Venetian identity, often mentioned in souvenirs and city tours.

The originals are housed in the basilica museum on the first floor since 1982 to protect them from weather damage. Exact replicas now stand in their historic position on the facade, visible to visitors from the square below.

A metallurgical study found a copper content of 96.67 percent, far higher than typical Roman bronzes. This composition suggests Greek craftsmanship, possibly from the Hellenistic period.

Location: Venice

Inception: 2 century

Height: 238 cm

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 45.43446,12.33936

Latest update: December 13, 2025 19:33