Horses of Saint Mark

San Marco

Horses of Saint Mark
They are one of the most celebrated works of the Basilica: originally placed in the hippodrome at Constantinople, they were taken by the Venetians as spoils of war during the Fourth Crusade (1204) and placed on the Basilica as a symbol of victory and continuity with the imperial power of Byzantium. They represent the only complete group of four horses preserved from classical statuary.