The first St. Mark's had been a building next to the Doge's Palace, ordered by the doge in 828, when Venetian merchants stole the supposed relics of Mark the Evangelist from Alexandria, and completed by 832; from the same century dates the first St. Mark's Campanile (bell tower).

The church was burned in a rebellion in 976, when the populace locked Pietro IV Candiano inside to kill him, and restored or rebuilt in 978.

Nothing certain is known of the form of these early churches.

From perhaps 1073, the present basilica was constructed.

The consecration is variously recorded as being in 1084-5, 1093 (the date most often taken), 1102 and 1117, probably reflecting a series of consecrations of different parts.

The building also incorporates a low tower (now housing St. Mark’s Treasure), believed by some to have been part of the original Doge's Palace.

In 1094, the body supposed that of Saint Mark is rediscovered in a pillar by Vitale Faliero, the current doge.

Vitale Faliero is a member of a noble Venetian family, probably from Fano.

A member of the minor consiglio (the council of doge's advisers), he had been elected Doge in the revolt that overthrew Domenico Selvo in December 1084, probably initiated by Faliero himself, among others.

He is the first Doge whose image is known, being allegedly portrayed next to the high altar of St. Mark's Basilica.

During the latter part of his reign the city has been hit by an earthquake, a seastorm, and a heavy famine.