Churches of Venice
Visitors to Venice may be surprised to find a church almost every few meters. Despite massive fires that burned through the city in the 11th and 15th centuries, and Napoleon suppressing and ransacking many churches, there are still a staggering 139 church buildings in the just ~6 square kilometers of Venice today.
Churches and their associated campos were important places for the community to connect with each other. Churches were often funded by merchants in the neighborhood as a show of wealth and prestige, and to remain in the good graces of the local clergy. Spanning in age from the 5th century through the 18th, the churches of Venice reflect nearly every architectural style over the centuries, and house some of the most important art by the greatest Italian artists of their time.
Of the 139 churches in Venice, 96% are, or were founded as, Catholic churches. 88 of these buildings remain operating churches that hold at least one weekly mass. The other 51 buildings have been converted into museums, schools, shops, or storage facilities.
Visiting the churches of Venice
As with Catholic churches elsewhere, many of these church buildings are open most of the time, and the public can simply go in and out at will. 16 of the churches in Venice are operated by the Chorus Association, and charge admission for visitors outside of service times. If you plan on visiting multiple churches, it’s a good idea to buy a pass from ChorusVenezia: a single ticket to a single church is just 3€, but a pass is only 12€ and allows admission to all 16 of them.
Venetians are sensitive to proper decorum in churches. Because these are religious spaces, locals and community members visit in order to pray and worship, and tourists should understand that is the primary use of the space. Guests should not wear inappropriately revealing clothing, and remain quiet and respectful. Some churches prohibit photography inside, but even if photography is allowed, you should silence your shutter and be discrete. Even if admission is free, contributing to the donation box is a nice gesture, and donations are expected if you light a candle.
Here are a just few of the more interesting churches in Venice:
The Chiesa di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari. The “Frari”, as it is locally known, is one of the most important churches in Venice. Founded in 1227 by the Franciscans after they were granted the land by Doge Jacopo Tiepolo, the original church was much smaller than the current one, which was rebuilt and expanded in the 15th century. This church is famous for the many works of Titian and other notable artists, including Bellini and Donatello, and is the resting place of Titian.
The Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli. This church was founded in 1487, in the Venetian Renassance style, with a stunning marble facade. The unusual barrel vault is richly painted with images of saints, and the facade was completely restored from 1987-1997 at a cost of $4 million.
The Chiesa de S. Angelo Raffaele. The oldest church in Venice, L’Anzolo Rafael is believed to have been founded in 416AD by the Lord of Padua’s wife. It has been burned, rebuilt, and restored repeatedly over the centuries, and the facade was most recently restored in 2004, disguising the true age of the church. The most famous work inside is the depiction of the story of Tobias, painted on the organ doors by Gianantonio Guardi in the 18th century.
San Marco
Blending the architectural styles of East and West, Venice’s magnificent basilica was consecrated in 832 AD as an ecclesiastical building to house the remains of St. Mark.
Santa Maria della Salute
Designed by Baldassare Longhena in 1631-83, the church’s façade is embellished with 125 statues, which form a sharp contrast to the somber interior.
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta
The original construction of the church began in the twelfth century and in 1657 the Jesuits bought it and the nearby monastery and rebuilt it. The majestic façade was erected with a donation from the Manin family and conceived by Fattoretto with non-traditional baroque shapes and an abundant decoration. The church preserves the ‘Martyrdom of San Lorenzo’ del Tiziano. Twenty paintings by Jacopo Palma il Giovane are housed in the sacristy.
The churches of Venice can be a welcome oasis from the noise, heat, and crowds of the city. Quiet, spacious, smelling of candles, and brimming with art and history, they are an essential part of Venetian daily life, and you may find yourself stepping inside them more often than you anticipated.
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