Sestiere Dorsoduro
Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute
Basilica of Our Lady of Health
Baroque votive church with a unique octagonal design.
basilicasalutevenezia.it
While entry to the church is free, optional paid visits include viewing art in the Sacristy or the city from the balcony.
Highlights
Votive church
Venice's devastating plague from 1630-31 led to a vow: a Baroque church would be erected to honor Our Lady of Health.
125 statues
Elaborate facades support the towering dome, creating an extravagant exterior embellished with statues of saints and angels. Atop the dome, a lantern holds a statue of the Virgin Mary blessing the city.
Octogonal interior
Inside, you can truly appreciate the colossal high dome. The somewhat austere space is enriched by the large sacristy adorned with 12 works by Titian.
A masterpiece by Tintoretto
Also displayed in the sacristy is Tintoretto’s monumental canvas 'Wedding Feast at Cana' (1561), portraying a vibrant Venetian gathering with multicultural musicians, bustling wine pourers and even a veiled self-portrait of Tintoretto.
Why visit
Dominating the southern entrance of the Canal Grande, the church's silhouette has become one of the city's most recognizable landmarks. Why not experience its dramatic Baroque up close?
Connect the Dots
Venice has four other plague votive churches.
One even preserves the remains of the protector against the plague: Saint Roch.
Titian
It was a plague outbreak that ended the illustrious career of the greatest Renaissance Venetian painter.
Leading architect of the time
Baldassare Longhena also designed 2 splendid palaces, both now museums: Ca' Rezzonico and Ca' Pesaro.
Enhance Your Experience
Enter at noon
The midday sun, filtered through the dome's sixteen pale-tinted glass windows, enhances the detail of the polychrome mosaic floors.
Visit the sacristy
If you find the interior somewhat austere, go behind the main altar to the sacristy and behold vibrant paintings by Titian and Tintoretto (admission is €6).
Nearby
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