Saint Mark’s Basilica is a living reminder of what Venice used to be and the kind of great influence it wielded. A church to host the relics of Saint Mark was first constructed on the site in the 9th century, but the building's final shape and features were only defined in the 15th century. The Basilica is divided into three main levels. The lower area includes the façade, with its five doors and Arab-inspired arches, said to be an homage to Alexandria, where Saint Mark was martyred. Then there’s the terrace, which offers a beautiful view of the square below and lastly the five cupolas, richly decorated with interior mosaics. An interesting fact is that in the Venetian Republic the Basilica was technically under the direct authority of the Doge and not the Bishop, making it a church which submitted to political, rather than religious, power.