Sestiere San Polo
Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto
Church of San Giacomo at Rialto
Tiny Gothic church with a large, unusual 15th-century clock on its facade.
Highlights
The oldest church in Venice
According to tradition, the original church was built by a carpenter in the year 421, coinciding with the legendary founding of Venice.
Unique 24-hour clock
Built in 1410, it features a single hand shaped like a ray of sunshine and a Roman numeral dial that places noon on the left and midnight on the right.
Rare Gothic portico
One of the few surviving examples in Venice, it once sheltered bankers and money changers conducting business in front of the church.
The Hunchback of Rialto
The statue served as a podium for proclamations and the final stop in a punishment where offenders ran naked from Piazza San Marco, ending their ordeal by kissing it to avoid further humiliation.
Why visit
A refreshing change from the grand churches of Venice, and a convenient stop if you're heading to the iconic fish market.
Connect the Dots
Another rare portico
The portico was a typical feature of many Venetian churches, though it has mostly disappeared today.
The one at San Nicolo dei Mendicoli served as a gathering place for poor religious women.
Nearby
These top places are steps away from San Giacomo di Rialto:
super close
Rialto Bridge
super close
Fondaco dei Tedeschi
tops 5 mins
Rialto Market
tops 5 mins
San Salvador
5-10 min away
Ca' d'Oro
5-10 min away
Santa Maria dei Miracoli
5-10 min away
Ca' Pesaro
