S. Giovanni Crisostomo Church and other Venice, Italy Off The Beaten Path Tips

This small church in Renaissance was built after the shape of the Greek cross, and is known in Venice as the Madonna delle Grazie Sanctuary due to the presence there of the image of the Virgin Mary – the Madonna.

Constructed between the years 1479 and 1504, the church has several important paintings where the influence of the famous Giorgione can be noted: ‘San Giovanni Crisostomo e 6 santi’ (above the main altarpiece) by Sebastiano del Piombo and ‘I Santi Cristoforo, Girolamo e Agostino’ by Giovanni Bellini situated at the right side of the first altarpiece.

Leave a Comment

The equestrian monument to Bartolomeo Colleoni which belongs to the glorious époque of the Italian Renaissance, was designed by the Florentine sculptor Andrea Verrocchio between years 1481 and 1488 and shaped in bronze by Alessandro Leopardi, who also created the marble pedestal.

The story behind the monument is rather funny. Bartolomeo Colleoni, a famous military figure, was… cheated after his death! He left all his possessions to the Serenissima Republic on one condition: his statue was to be put in front of San Marco. He meant S. Marco Basilica, and thought that was clear to everybody… The Senate put it in front of Scuola of San Marco :)))

To see the monument, go to Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo.

Leave a Comment

The Convent of San Francesco del Deserto is anything but strangely named… It surprised me to see a church on a small island in the Laguna called after ‘Saint Francesco of the Desert’!

The church itself, however, is fine, especially thanks to its wonderful setting. Just off a bigger island of Burano, it can be easily reached hiring a small boat – there are usually some in waiting. And they will attend you, for a small fee, during the time you spend admiring the place.

The convent, dating back to ‘200, consists of a finely shaped church and enchanting gardens.

Leave a Comment

Situated in Campo dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, this was the seat of one of six Venetian confraternities. Completely burnt down in year 1485 during a huge fire and reconstructed almost immediately afterwards, it has several style features that link it to its more famous namesake – San Marco Basilica. I mean those cupola-like structures on top, they really do remind one of the Basilica’s cupolas :))

The Renaissance facade, created by architects Pietro Lombardo (lower part) during years 1487 – 1490 and Mauro Codussi (higher part) in 1495, had Gothic arches, panels, and decorations. Today, the building houses the civic hospital.

Inside, the church of San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti houses one work each by Veronese & Tintoretto, but many more went destroyed during the years. Another feature worthy of note is the 16th century ceiling of the library.

Leave a Comment

San Zanipolo (I must admit I have never heard of such a Saint!) is a church in authentic Gothic style (though with elements of the traditional Venetian one) that would have been much more appreciated, I guess, where it not for the Basilica of San Marco. Much less touristy than most other attractions of Venice, it is the place to go if you wish to relax and contemplate a masterpiece away from crowds.

Church of San Zanipolo is not without historical and/or artistic merits. It contains the tombs of some of the doges, as well as several pretty impressive paintings and sculptures.

Leave a Comment