St Marks Basilica

Venice aspired to the the new Rome, but it lacked an apostle's remains for its basilica. A group of citizens went to Egypt, which was Muslim in the Middle Ages, and liberated St. Mark's remains, which they packed in a basket of pork. Muslim custom officials held their noses and refused to inspect it, so the remains were brought to Venice successfully. A fresco on the facade of the church depicts the citizens, the Muslim officials, and the offending basket. St Mark reposes inside under the altar.