Churches

Discover the secrets of Venetian churches

Churches of Venice are a treasure of cultural heritage, each of them being unique in its history and art.
In this section you will find short presentations on the main churches of Venice. Many of them are open for visits, others look permanently closed or have been deconsacrated and are now used for other purposes. Some of Venetian churches are world-famous, while others are more quite and almost forgotten by visitors.
Romanic, Gothic, Neoclassical or Baroque, Venetian churches are definitely an open art book, delighting visitors’ eyes with their white marbles and intense paintings.
Beside a good guide book and an open spirit ready to be captivated, we recommend to wear always appropriate clothes to visit churches in Venice, as visitors may otherwise be denied access.

  • San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti (Church)

     San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti church was built in early XVI century by Mendicant Friars to serve as an hospice. However, San lazzaro dei Mendicanti church also made a name for…

  • San Leone / San Lio (Church)

     San Lio church, close to campo san Bortolo in Saint Mark district, is dedicated to Pope Leo X, who had supported the independence of Venice churches. Today's church was built…

  • San Lorenzo (Church)

    San Lorenzo church of Venice was built in VI-VII century, and a Benedictine convent was added later. It was rebuilt and restaured several times, but the facade was never either…

  • San Moisé (Church)

    San Moisé church in Venice is an extraordinary exemple of Baroc style, like the near Santa Maria del Giglio. Just like this last one, its facade features the portrait of…

  • San Nicolò da Tolentino / dei Tolentini (Church)

     Tolentini church, officially San Nicolò da Tolentino church, was founded in the XVI century, upon arrival to Venice of the Theatines order in 1527, after the Sack of Rome. The…

  • San Nicolò dei Mendicoli (Church)

    San Nicolò dei Mendicoli church dates back to XII century (with later remodelling and rebuildings). The word mendicoli says for the Italian word mendicanti (beggars), to mean that this area…

  • San Pantaleone / San Pantalon (Church)

     San Pantalon church in Venice was built in XVI century on an older church. San Pantalon is famous for its Baroque ceiling, believed to be the largest oil painting in…

  • San Pietro di Castello (Church)

    San Pietro di Castello church is located on the Eastern part of Venice, on the former island of Olivolo. It is one of the most ancient churches of Venice, having…

  • San Rocco (Church)

     San Rocco church in Venice stays in the homonym square, just beside the more famous and impressive Scuola Grande di San Rocco. The church was built in 1598 by Bon,…

  • San Salvador (Church)

    San Salvador church in Venice, located close to Rialto at the entrance to the busy Mercerie road, was built in XVI-XVII century, a bright example of Renaissance art in Venice.…