View of Piazza with Basilica of San Marco 1712 - 1793

This sketch of the Piazza with the Basilica of San Marco was made by Francesco Guardi in the 18th century. Note the Basilica’s domes crowned with crosses, symbols of Christian power, rising like beacons in the Venetian skyline. These domes, repeated across the facade, echo similar shapes found in Byzantine churches, linking Venice to its historical and spiritual roots. The cross, of course, has been a potent symbol since antiquity. However, its usage is older than that. The Ankh in Ancient Egypt, sharing a similar shape, embodies life and immortality, suggesting a deep, subconscious connection across cultures. The dome, reaching towards the heavens, echoes ancient motifs of sacred mountains and cosmic order, and the cross as a symbol of triumph, as a potent marker of identity, persisting through shifting cultural landscapes. Consider how these symbols engage our collective memory, evoking faith, power, and the enduring human quest for transcendence.