St. Mark's Basilica, one of the finest examples of Byzantine architecture in Europe, has a distinctly gentle, eccentric appearance.

Unlike the grey towers of Notre-Dame Cathedral or Chartres Cathedral, St. Mark's Basilica, while just as imposing, is a little more down-to-earth.

Its width is greater than its height, and it is topped by five raised snow-white cupolas, which almost exude a light and festive atmosphere.

Many guidebooks compare St. Mark's Basilica to a birthday cake topped with cream.

So, here's the problem...... Why did you choose to hold the International Wizards' Conference here?

The church and the wizards have historically been rivals. In the Middle Ages, witch hunts took place.

All right...... This is the same as the wizard's Christmas and Easter, a wizard's millennial puzzle that Merlin can't explain.

William and Hermione walked towards the church, stopping at the same time as they passed the Lighthouse of St. Peter.

The two looked at each other and looked to the side in astonishment!

An old tour guide dressed as an imam, waving a Bible, angrily explains how the Venetians tricked St. Mark's bones.

Wait a minute...... Why is this man so familiar?

Isn't that the old priest's guide at Notre Dame Cathedral?

Good guy, I haven't seen you for a year, and you converted to *** religion?

Well, the last time he took the Qur'an, but this time it became the Bible.

Old heretics!

This kind of dress, are you really not afraid of being beaten?

Once again, William and Hermione found it amusing, so they stood aside and listened secretly for a while.

He was pointing to a pillar and explaining the flying lion to the tourists.

The statue of the flying lion, which can be seen everywhere in Venice, is also a symbol of the city.

If you look closely, you can see that the flying lion proudly puts its paws on an open book with a Latin inscription:

PaxtibiMarce，evangelistameus。

It is said that this sentence was spoken by an angel when Mark first arrived in Venice, and it means: I am Mark the messenger! May you rest in peace.

The angel also prophesied that Mark's body would be buried here in the future. ”

Mark is the Roman name and the Jewish name is John. He was a follower of Christ, and legend has it that he wrote the famous Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Bible

The old imam was indignant and said, "This angelic prophecy is false, and the governor of Venice made it up himself in order to cover up their sins.

It was by this sentence that they deceived the remains of St. Mark from Alexandria and buried them in St. Mark's Basilica. ”

William was shocked, and remembered the prophecy of the Grim Reaper:

Follow in the footsteps of the Doge of Venice.

He had lied.

So which governor stole St. Mark's body when he was in office?

"These bandits!" The old imam was waving a Bible, and it seemed that it was the mosque that had been stolen.

"The Doge of Venice, accustomed to deception and robbery, saw the statue?"

William and Hermione followed his fingers.

Beneath the glittering flying lions, St. Mark's Basilica reveals one of its most famous treasures.

- Four huge bronze horses,

The four horses strike a pose ready to leap into the square.

"Like many of Venice's priceless treasures, they were plundered from Constantinople during the Crusades."

William was very interested, but the old imam only casually introduced, pointed to the clock tower of St. Mark's behind him, and began to explain.

"This building, completed in 1514. However, in 1902, it collapsed suddenly, and the bell tower of San Marco was rebuilt in 1912. ”

The old imam was exposed again, his identity as an undercover agent, and his opening was Buddhism:

"This is the karma of Buddhism! In the Nirvana Sutra, it is said that there are three retributions for karma, one is retribution, the retribution of good and evil, and the retribution of suffering and happiness; Second life report, or previous life homework present life report......"

William looked at the old imam speechlessly. The real identity of this person is actually the Grand Priest of the Mosque's office in the Vatican City, Father Wang Lama, right?

William and Hermione stopped listening to him and continued to walk towards the entrance to the cathedral.

St. Mark's Basilica is often criticized for providing "an overwhelming number of entrances".

Its shorter part is almost entirely occupied by five recessed entrances.

The five entrances, with their dense columns, arches, and perforated bronze gates, greatly add to the entrance and exit of the entire building, if not for any other purpose.

The two searched for a moment, then made a beeline for a closed bronze door.

"Sir, miss, do you buy it?" A woman at the door asked.

It was a beautiful gypsy woman in a floral dress with straight black hair braided into a long braid, tied with a red gold rope.

She holds a tall pole with various Venetian masks hanging from it.

Most of them use the popular full-face style, which is the kind of white mask that everyone often wears at carnivals.

Among her merchandise are a number of mischievous half-faced "little pigeon masks", several "bauta" masks with triangular chins, and a non-strap-free Muretta mask.

Venice's mask culture is unique among European civilizations.

They used masks as part of their daily lives, and even before the 18th century, the lives of its inhabitants were completely inseparable.

When people go out, both men and women, they wear masks and cloaks.

Nowadays, every year at the carnival, Venetians also wear masks and party in the streets for 11 days.

Inexplicably, it smells like a Death Eater.

"Will you buy it, Mr. Stark?" The gypsy woman asked again.

William smiled and shook his head. "They're all beautiful, but I don't want them, thank you."

Hermione took two invitations from her safety sheet and handed them over.

The gypsy girl took it, checked it, and then looked up and smiled, "I recognized you two just now." ”

"My name is Nymelia, can you sign me, I'm a fan of both of you?"

She lifted one of the masks around her waist and looked at William and Hermione expectantly.

The two had no choice but to sign on the side of the mask.

"It's a thank you!" Nemelia took off both masks and handed them over.

"It's free, no money." She winked playfully.

After thanking them, William and Hermione took it.

"Let's go, you're here to be the first wizards." Nemelia said excitedly.

"This bad weather, the people from the Weather Management Department of the Ministry of Magic, we should take care of it, or we will all have to watch the sea at the entrance of the cathedral."

Nymelia pulled out a large golden key and opened the closed door of St. Mark's Basilica.

The three pushed the door open and walked in.

Under the influence of magic, the room was transformed from St. Mark's Basilica into the Venetian branch of the Ministry of Magic.

They walked through a wide staircase into the main hall. It's an extraordinarily large space with an incredibly high vaulted roof.

Owls fly and circle, witches and witches are busy at work.

Nemelia led William and Hermione through the hectic crowd.

A few wizards sat in line, waiting for a house-elf to help them polish their wands, using an intricate feather device.

Many wizards looked curiously at William and Hermione behind Nymeria.

The three of them made their way through the crowd and into the elevator, where the fence door slammed shut.

"Office of the Secretary-General." Nemelia whispered.

The elevator slowly rises and the chain clicks.

"Mr. Martell, Secretary-General, is waiting for you."

William nodded lightly and pulled out a letter.

He also had to go to this Mister Martell, deliver a letter for Professor Dumbledore, and pick up an item.

Without that, Triwizard Tournament wouldn't have worked.

……

……

(Ask for recommended tickets and monthly passes.)

Thanks to the "trance Xiaobai" boss for the reward. ）