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Scuola Grande di San Marco Castello area Review

Scuola Grande di San Marco was built in 1260 by Confraternity of San Marco to act as its seat. The building, however, was destroyed by a big fire in 1485 and rebuilt in the very beginnings of the 16th century under the design of Pietro Lombardo. Its facade is a masterwork with nicely decorated niches and pilasters and adorned with white marble statues completed by Mauro Codussi. Three of the greatest Italian explorers of the 15th century; Barbaro, da Mosto e Contarini were members of this Scuola.
In the beginning of the 19th century, after fall of Napoleon, Habsburgs took the controll over the Venetian Republic and the Scuola became a military hospital. Nowadays it is a civil hospital of Venice.

Sestiere San Polo - San Giulian Churches Review

The church of San Giulian, commonly called San Zulian in Venetian dialect, is situated on the Merceria, the main shopping street of Venice. Originally it is structure from the 9th century but underwent a number of reconstructions. The front side was constructed by the great architect Jacopo Sansovino in a shape of flattered classical temple facade. It is parish church of San Salvador, or contrada as parish is called in the local dialect. The bronze bust of Jacopo Sansovine is above the portal.
The interiors is rich of valuable artistic works by famous medieval painters and sculptors, Paolo Veronese, Jacopo Palma il Giovane and Girolamo Campagna.

Address: San Polo

Sestiere Dorsoduro - Santa Maria del Rosario Churches Review

The church of Santa Maria del Rosario is commonly known as I Gesuiti, but it has nothing to do with the Jesuit Order. The order of Gesuiti, also called "I poweri Gesuiti" (poor jesuits) was founded in Siena, back in the 14th century, but they acquired welth from the privileges granted by the state, including monopoly of the destilation of wine.
Santa Maria del Rosario is an 18th century Dominican church made in classical style with Rococo decorations which are preserved in original form and intact.
Do not mix it with the church of Jesuit Order which is located in Sestiere of Cannaregio.

Address: Fondazione Zattere ai Gesuati

Sestiere Dorsoduro - SS. Gervasio e Protasio Churches Review

The church of SS. Gervasio e Protasio was first built in the 9th century by two families, Barbarigo and Caravella. The church was burned down in fire in 1105 but rebuilt in 1583 to a design by Francesco Smeraldi, a pupil by Andrea Palladio. The church has two identical facades so that two rival families, the Nicolotti and Castellani could each have the entrance of equal importance. It's one of funny legend about Venetians who enjoy in quarrelings. The church is commonly known as San Trovaso, which is Venetian name for both saints.
The interior of the church is Latin cross with six chapels along the nave. It is rich of very notable works of art by Domenico Tintoretto, his son Jacopo and Palma il Giovane.

Address: Dorsoduro

Sestiere Dorsoduro - San Nicolo dei Mendicoli Churches Review

The islet where the original church of San Nicolo dei Mendicoli (Saint Nicholas of the Beggars) was located, previously housed poor fishermen, hence the addition of "mendicoli" to the name of San Nicolo. When the church was built, from then on the inhabitants were called Nicolotti.
The present structure of San Nicolo dates from the 12th century but it seems that the church has been founded in the 7th century. I was couple of time here, around the church, but it was always closed. A local guy told me it has beautiful unteriors. The church is one of only two churches in Venice with the covered porch. The porch used to provide shelter for the poor and homeless people, and a place for women to pray.
San Nicolo was Greek Bishop known for his generosity and anonymous girfts to the poor people. He was the most popular saint in the medieval times and patron saint of working class; fishermen, sailors, shipbuilders and small merchants.

Address: Sestiere Dorsoduro

Sestiere Cannaregio - Santi Apostoli Canareggio area Review

The church of Saint Apostles has been founded in 643, built on a site where St. Magnus saw twelve cranes, after an apparition of the tvelwe apostles told him to look for this sign. The church was rebuilt in 1020 but destroyed in fire in 1105 and rebuilt. It was rebuilt and restored again inthe several times.
The church is dominated by its high bell tower and the domed exterior of the corner chapel. Santi Apostoli has a luminous altarpiece by Gianbatistta Tiepolo.

Sestiere San Marco - Chiesa di San Moise Churches Review

The first church on this site, built of wood, has been founded in 797 and dedicated to San Vittorio.
Beautiful facade of the church dedicated to San Moise, or San Moise profeta, is almost hidden inside the area around Piazza San Marco. It also honours Moise Venier who paid for its rebuilding in 9th century.
The current church is from 1632 while its facade dates from 1668 to the designs of the architect Alessandro Tremignon. The reconstruction was paid for by the Fini family, Vincenzo Fini was the Procurator of San Marco. The elaborate front facade is in Baroque style and covered in carvings, looking very theatrical and made to glory the Fini's. All the docorations, including sculptures in the interiors, are by Flemish sculptor Heinrich Meyring, whom Venetians used to call Merengo.
The bell tower dates from the 14th century with fired brick spired.

Address: (except St Marks)

Sestiere Cannaregio - San Giovanni Grisostomo Churches Review

The Church of San Giovanni Grisostomo has been founded in 1080 but the original church burned down in 1475. In 1497 famous Venetian architect Mauro Codussi made new design for the church. It wasn't easy work because the church is squezeed into a small and crowded campo. The church was completed in 1525 by Domenico Codussi, after death of his father.
The campanile dates from the late 16th century. The interiors had Greek cros plan ringed by apses. The church interiors preserving notable works of art by Lombardo and Bellini.

Address: (except St Marks)

Sestiere Castello - San Lorenzo Churches Review

The original church of San Lorenzo have been founded in the 6th or 7th century, with the Benedictine convent established in 863. The church was rebuilt several times and it current look dates from the reconstruction 1592-1602, but its facade was never ever started. I have visited this spot many times and each times some reconstruction works were on it.
The church was rich of art works which have been dispersed during this reconstractions. Just to mentione, Marco Polo had been buried in San Lorenzo but his sarcophagus was lost during one the reconstructions.

Address: (except St Marks)

Sestiere San Polo - Campo San Toma Churches Review

Campo San Toma is, at least to me, the most beautiful square in whole of Sestiere San Polo. The whole square is dominated by the white marble facade of the church dedicated to San Toma Apostolo. It was founded in 917 with money from the Miani family and restored later on in several ocasions. The facade from 1652, designed by Longhena, was replaced as it was about to fall down. It was replaced in the mid of 18th century with classical facade by Francesco Bognolo.
Opposite to San toma Apostolo stands Scoletta di Callegheri, built in 1446, which is seat of the Brotherhood of shoemakers and cobblers. Calleghieri is Venetian expression for the shoemakers.

Address: Campo San Toma