The gorgeous city of Venice is truly just full of iconic and stunning bridges, palaces, churches and more, which line her famous canals and make up the city's distinctive skyline and elegant appearance. For those interested in architecture and design, it is an especially fascinating city but even your average Joe can appreciate the undeniably unique beauty of the wonderful feats of architecture that emerge from the lagoon. Taking it all in with one's own eyes is on the bucket list of many all over the globe as there truly is nowhere else in the world quite like it. To see it for yourself, why don't you browse our villas in Venice and get planning your own trip to this stunning and picturesque city in Italy?
One of the most famous of all the buildings that spring out of the Venetian Lagoon is the lovely Church of Santa Maria della Salute, meaning the Church of Saint Mary of Health. Located on the strip of land that is the Punta della Dogana, between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal, in the Dorsoduro sestiere of the city, the church is visible when entering the Piazza San Marco from the water. The most recent of the so-called plague churches, it was begun in 1631 after a particularly devastating outbreak of plague in the summer of 1630 that devastated the population of the city, as a votive offering to Our Lady of Health in an attempt to beg help for city in freeing them from the deadly disease.
One of the most famous of all the buildings that spring out of the Venetian Lagoon is the lovely Church of Santa Maria della Salute, meaning the Church of Saint Mary of Health. Located on the strip of land that is the Punta della Dogana, between the Grand Canal and the Giudecca Canal, in the Dorsoduro sestiere of the city, the church is visible when entering the Piazza San Marco from the water. The most recent of the so-called plague churches, it was begun in 1631 after a particularly devastating outbreak of plague in the summer of 1630 that devastated the population of the city, as a votive offering to Our Lady of Health in an attempt to beg help for city in freeing them from the deadly disease.
Designed by Baldassare Longhena, this Baroque gem is instantly recognisable by the rising dome overhead that dominates the skyline of Venice and quickly became emblematic of the city, later painted by great masters such as Canaletto, J. M. W. Turner, John Singer Sargent, and Francesco Guardi. Those who find a vacation rental in Venice will immediately be able to make it out when exploring the city and will find images of it plastered over the covers of guidebooks, on postcards, and various other kinds souvenirs. Vast and built on an octagonal plan, this ornate beauty features two domes, a pair of picturesque bell-towers, a façade clad in gleaming Istrian stone and marmorino, a host of statues of various saints and biblical figures, and lots of intricately carved decorative details. The interior of Santa Maria della Salute, meanwhile, is no less decorative or elaborate and is stuffed full of wonderful works of art and craftsmanship, many of which directly reference the Black Death.
While the classical language of the exterior of the church continues inside, the influence of Byzantine precedents is also apparent in details. Furthermore, symbolism connected to the Virgin, to whom the church is dedicated and to whom they were pleading for intercession on their behalf when constructing the building, is rife throughout: the dome is said to represent her crown as queen of heaven, the eight sides to the church reflect the eight points of her star, and images of her are located all over the building. Some of these works include Luca Giordano's Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple, Assumption of Our Lady, and Nativity of Our Lady, a Byzantine Madonna and Child dating to the 12th or 13th century known as Panagia Mesopantitissa in the Baroque high altar, a dramatic statuary group that is also located on the high altar depicting The Queen of Heaven in the act of expelling the Plague by the Flemish sculptor Josse de Corte, and more. In addition to these works, there are also various paintings by some incredibly important Venetian masters in the Church of Santa Maria della Salute including Tintoretto with his Marriage at Cana in the great sacristy, in which he famously includes a self-portrait.
While the classical language of the exterior of the church continues inside, the influence of Byzantine precedents is also apparent in details. Furthermore, symbolism connected to the Virgin, to whom the church is dedicated and to whom they were pleading for intercession on their behalf when constructing the building, is rife throughout: the dome is said to represent her crown as queen of heaven, the eight sides to the church reflect the eight points of her star, and images of her are located all over the building. Some of these works include Luca Giordano's Presentation of Our Lady in the Temple, Assumption of Our Lady, and Nativity of Our Lady, a Byzantine Madonna and Child dating to the 12th or 13th century known as Panagia Mesopantitissa in the Baroque high altar, a dramatic statuary group that is also located on the high altar depicting The Queen of Heaven in the act of expelling the Plague by the Flemish sculptor Josse de Corte, and more. In addition to these works, there are also various paintings by some incredibly important Venetian masters in the Church of Santa Maria della Salute including Tintoretto with his Marriage at Cana in the great sacristy, in which he famously includes a self-portrait.
However, the most represented artist among them all in the church and one of Venice's brightest artistic stars of all time is Titian. Works from him include his The Descent of the Holy Ghost, St. Mark Enthroned with Saints Cosmas, Damian, Sebastian and Roch, the altarpiece of the sacristy, ceiling paintings of David and Goliath, Abraham and Isaac and Cain and Abel, and tondi of the eight Doctors of the Church and the Evangelists, all in the great sacristy, and a Pentecost in the nave. Santa Maria della Salute is, in fact, one of the best places to see the work of this great master of Venetian Baroque painting. Visitors may enter the church free of charge but to explore the wealth of works of art in the sacristy there is a charge (€4 for adults and €2 for students). It is, however, well worth it to take in the collection of Titian masterpieces. Do keep in mind, however, that it is closed on Sunday mornings. If you have found a vacation rental in Venice and are interested in art, then this gorgeous architectural gem, and the amazing collection that is housed within it, makes for one of the best and most inexpensive places to take in some incredible works of art and some pieces by one of the most talented artists that Venice or Italy ever produced in the city.
So, if you find yourself ticking a trip to Venice off your bucket list, then be sure to plan a visit to the stunning Church of Santa Maria della Salute while on vacation in Venice as it is one of the most extraordinary churches in Italy and one of the most beautiful architectural gems in the city.
So, if you find yourself ticking a trip to Venice off your bucket list, then be sure to plan a visit to the stunning Church of Santa Maria della Salute while on vacation in Venice as it is one of the most extraordinary churches in Italy and one of the most beautiful architectural gems in the city.
Photo credit
Picture 3: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 4.0
Picture 3: Jean-Pol GRANDMONT / CC BY 4.0