Wheelchair Accessibility of Saint Mark’s Basilica

The accessibility of Saint Mark’s Basilica was great, letting people with disabilities experience its majesty. The Basilica has ramps to enter the main floor as well as an elevator and stairlift to access the upper floor and museum.

Admission to Saint Mark’s Basilica is always free for people with disabilities and their companions, and its accessibility webpage has good information as well as contact information for further questions. Note that the Basilica has a dress code and may turn away visitors who do not have their knees and shoulders covered.

Accessing Saint Mark’s Basilica

Saint Mark’s Basilica is next to Doge’s Palace and Saint Mark’s Square. The accessible entrance is through the Porta dei Fiori, which is located to the left of Saint Mark’s Square and is marked by a ramp and a few staff members. The staff will help you navigate up the ramp in, down the interior ramp, and then up a longer ramp onto the main floor.

Accessibility inside Saint Mark’s Basilica

The inside of Saint Mark’s Basilica is very wheelchair accessible. The first floor is flat if not entirely smooth–the marble is so worn down from centuries of traffic that I could feel the grooves and different textures as I drove over the various marble pieces. It is not difficult, but was a rockier ride than I expected.

That said, words cannot describe the richness and beauty inside the Basilica–just the different types of marble are breathtaking on their own, not to mention the mosaics, statues, and art. And there really is not a bad spot for viewing because the beauty is everywhere–on the floor, ceiling, walls, etc.

There is an elevator to access the Museum on the second floor, but it was too small for my motorized scooter. The second floor houses the famous Roman bronze horses.

The wheelchair accessibility of Saint Mark’s Basilica was impressive and is worth seeing, especially given it is free and in the heart of Saint Mark’s Square.