Venice, Italy is home to some of the most beautiful and historic churches in the world. From St. Mark’s Basilica to Santa Maria della Salute, visitors are treated to a range of awe-inspiring architecture, stunning artworks and centuries-old religious monuments. While there are many amazing churches in Venice, here we will discuss just five of the best ones.
San Zaccaria Church is a grand 15th century building located near St. Mark’s Square. Visitors can marvel at its Byzantine-style golden mosaics on both the interior and exterior walls as well as its elegant facade with soaring bell towers that rise up above the lagoon cityscape. Inside, one can find numerous works of art, including an altarpiece by Giovanni Bellini and a sculpture of the Madonna and Child in marble by Tullio Lombardo.
The Church of San Francesco della Vigna is well known for its impressive Renaissance design. Built in 1534, its beautiful facade features intricate decorative motifs and sculptures while inside are paintings from famous Venetian masters such as Paolo Veronese, Sebastiano Ricci and Gianbattista Tiepolo. The church also has an exquisite wooden ceiling decorated with carvings that represent various religious symbols.
The Church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo is another Venice must-see. This Gothic structure was built in 1246 and boasts a number of historical monuments such as the tombs and monuments of important doges, as well as an impressive funeral chapel dedicated to Bartolomeo Colleoni. The interior also contains several works of art from Paolo Veronese and Tintoretto, including his masterpiece “The Miracle of the Cross”.
Santa Maria della Salute is a stunning baroque church located at the entrance to Venice’s Grand Canal. It was built in 1681 by Baldassarre Longhena and features a remarkable dome structure with ornate decorations inside. Other notable features include two bell towers, a grand marble staircase, frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Mary and an exquisite altar made of white Carrara marble. The views from this church are also incredible.
Finally, the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore is another iconic Venetian landmark. It was designed by Andrea Palladio in 1566 and boasts a stunning façade with two bell towers and an impressive colonnaded portico. Inside, visitors can admire altarpieces by Tintoretto and Paolo Veronese as well as sculptures by Jacopo Sansovino.
These are just five of the many amazing churches located in Venice, Italy. Each offers its own unique history and beauty that should not be missed while visiting this historical city. Many visitors think that you have to visit a museum to see all of the great art Venice has to offer but if you are looking to take in Renaissance architecture or marvel at some of the world’s greatest works of art, these churches will certainly provide an unforgettable and enriching experience.