San Sebastiano

Veronese's Venetian sanctuary

Votive plague church adorned with vibrant paintings by Veronese, who is also buried here.

Chorus Churches Free Admission Hidden Gems

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San Basilio + 3-min walk

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Admission is free.

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What makes this place special

A sanctuary from the plague

The church is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, long venerated in the Middle Ages as a protector against the plague. Throughout the church, you'll find multiple depictions of the saint - typically shown as a youthful figure bound to a tree or post and pierced by arrows.

Veronese's last refuge

According to legend, Paolo Veronese fled to this church in 1555 after facing murder charges in Verona, accused of killing a romantic rival. Here, he found both sanctuary and renewed purpose.

The devotion of an artist

Over the next three decades, Veronese transformed the church's interior with sweeping frescoes and grand biblical scenes. When he died in 1588, his final wish was honored: to be buried beneath his masterpieces. His memorial bust stands to the right of the organ.

A remarkable ceiling

The ceiling is an outstanding example of a Venetian soffitto - a segmented painted ceiling influential in shaping the city's artistic heritage. Beyond the three central paintings on canvas, which tell the story of the Old Testament heroine Esther, the space is further enriched by eight flanking wooden panels depicting balustrades and four monochrome roundels featuring virtues.

Picturesque surroundings

Quiet little campi and winding canals weave an ever-changing pattern - perfect for a peaceful stroll and spontaneous photo moments.

San Sebastiano : The facade overlooks a narrow canal, where a charming little bridge invites visitors to cross

Discover more about San Sebastiano through 8 photos with explanations.

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What to experience here

Get ready to be amazed by the dramatic floor-to-ceiling frescoes Paolo Veronese painted over more than three decades.
Reflect on how few of us dedicate 30 years of our lives to a single purpose.
After your visit, linger a little longer in the quiet campi nearby.

Venice's votive churches

The bubonic plague was devastating for Venice.

The last great wave came in 1630–1631 and killed nearly half of the city's population.

As it had done during previous outbreaks, Venice turned to faith, vowing to build a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary if the plague came to an end. When the epidemic finally subsided, Venice fulfilled its vow by building La Salute.

But La Salute was not the first church Venice built in gratitude after the plague. Four other votive churches predate it, each a response to an earlier outbreak.

And only one of them holds the relics of the city's legendary protector against the disease.

San Rocco : The high altar is surrounded with works by Tintoretto depicting the life of Saint Roch, whose casket and statue are above the altar

At the church of San Rocco, Saint Roch himself lies enshrined above the high altar, surrounded by Tintoretto's powerful scenes from the saint's life and miracles.

The interior of the church is sure to impress, and the paintings offer a glimpse of Tintoretto's bold brushwork before you encounter his abundance of masterpieces at the adjacent Scuola Grande di San Rocco.