The Tragic History of the horses of St. Mark’s

They say history is a teacher of many things. Among them, I have learned, is that some history can break your heart; and, for me, the tale of how the horses of St. Mark’s came to grace that splendid Basilica did just that. Known as the Quadriga, the four stately horses mounted above the entrance to St. Mark’s are perhaps among the most recognizable statues in the world. But this wasn’t always their home. Like so much of the art that graces the Floating City, these horses came from elsewhere—stolen booty that began their long journey to Venice from a great city to the east.