St. Mark’s Basilica unveils plans for a new organ built by Italian and German craftsmen, marking 1,200 years since St. Mark’s relics arrived in Venice.
Newsroom (12/02/2026 Gaudium Press ) Venice’s St. Mark’s Basilica—one of the most iconic landmarks of faith and architecture in Europe—is undergoing a major musical transformation. A new organ, supported by international collaboration between Italy and Germany, is set to fill the mosaicked interiors with renewed resonance by the end of 2028. The timing is deliberate: the project coincides with the 1,200th anniversary of the translation of the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist to Venice, a defining moment in the city’s spiritual history.
On Tuesday, Patriarch Francesco Moraglia, civic representatives, and company delegates joined the basilica’s administrators to publicly present the project. The ambitious venture, financed by the basilica’s administration at a cost of three million euros, has been described as both a cultural and liturgical milestone.
A Collaboration of Craftsmanship
The new instrument will be jointly built by the Bonn-based organ-building firm Johannes Klais and Italian organ maker Francesco Zanin of Codroipo. Known across Europe for their precision and artistry, the two builders intend to create a four-part organ designed to interact seamlessly with the basilica’s famed acoustics.
The plan envisions a main and solo organ in the chancel, complemented by two additional sections located in the transept. In a nod to history, the project also includes reconstruction of the historic Callido organ from 1766, using surviving original pipes. Combined, these elements are expected to create a “spatially differentiated soundscape,” harmonizing with the luminous gold mosaics and architectural depth that make St. Mark’s a singular space.
Chief procurator Bruno Barel characterized the effort as “an intervention of great cultural, musical, and liturgical significance,” underscoring the organ’s role not merely as a musical instrument but as an integral part of Venice’s continuing artistic narrative.
Preservation and Access
Beyond its cultural projects, the basilica is also reshaping how it manages its immense visitor flow. Under Barel’s leadership, St. Mark’s instituted an online reservation system with a €10 entry fee—a shift aimed at balancing preservation with accessibility. School groups remain exempt from the charge.
The transition has already reshaped tourism dynamics: visitor numbers declined from approximately 3.4 million to just under 3 million in the first year, yet revenues held steady at over €20 million. Crucially, long queues disappeared, and 40 long-closed churches in Venice’s historic center reopened thanks to stabilized visitor management and funding.
Venice’s Wider Strategy Against Overtourism
These changes at the basilica coincide with the city’s larger campaign to address the strain of mass tourism. Since 2024, visitors entering Venice’s historic center without local accommodation have been required to pay an access fee—a measure that became permanent for selected dates in 2026. Covering weekends and specific high-traffic days between April 3 and July 26, the charge ranges from €5 to €10 depending on the booking period.
Together, these initiatives reflect a broader vision: safeguarding Venice’s heritage while redefining how residents and visitors engage with its sacred and cultural spaces.
As the new organ begins to take shape, St. Mark’s Basilica stands once again at the intersection of faith, art, and innovation—harmonizing centuries of tradition with the rhythm of modern preservation.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Katholisch.de
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