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.

  • Santa Maria Formosa (Church)

     Santa Maria Formosa church was allegedly built by bishop Saint Magnus in the early times of the foundation of Venice, legend says after he had a vision of Saint Mary…

  • Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (Basilica)

    Frari church, complete name Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, was finished in 1338, but afterwards it went through over a century of works aiming at its enlargement. The Frari church…

  • Santa Maria Maddalena (Church)

    Santa Maria Maddalena church in Venice is located in Cannaregio district, not far from the water bus stop of San Marcuola. The Pantheon building served as a model for it:…

  • Santa Maria Mater Domini (Church)

    Santa Maria Mater Domini church of Venice dates back to XVI century, designed probably by Sansovino and Codussi. This was a religious site since X century, cause a church already…

  • Santa Sofia (Church)

     Santa Sofia church in Venice is located on Strada Nuova (Cannaregio district), just in front of the traghetto (the gondola ferry) of Santa Sofia, on the Grand Canal. The features…

  • Santi Apostoli (Church)

     Santi Apostoli church was allegedly founded by Saint Magnus, bishop of Oderzo in VII century, on the place where he would have seen twelve cranes (therefore symbolizing the twelve apostles).…

  • Santi Ermagora e Fortunato / San Marcuola (Church)

     San Marcuola church is actually dedicated to Sant'Ermagora and San Fortunato: Venetian dialect and people's linguistic misunderstandings made it better known as San Marcuola. Rebuilt in 1343 after a fire,…

  • Santi Giovanni e Paolo (Basilica)

     Saint John and Paul church in Venice, or basilica di San Giovanni e Paolo, is the main Domenican church of Venice. The terrain was given by the doge Domenico Tiepolo…

  • Santo Stefano (Church)

    Santo Stefano church in Venice is located on the homonym square, a wide campo at a short distance from the Accademia bridge. However, its facade is not on the square,…