Itinerary 3
From Riva del Carbon to San Tomà
Churches, schools, museums and foundations: these are the parts of the mosaic that form the beating heart of Venice's cultural life. Let yourself be enchanted by the frescoes and canvases that find a home in these institutions, and immerse yourself in their timeless historical and artistic heritage.
Considered by all to be like a precious treasure chest hovering over the water because of its unusual structure, the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli is a true jewel of Venetian Renaissance architecture. Built in the late fifteenth century, it is one of Pietro Lombardo's most famous designs.
The church of Santi Giovanni e Paolo, the largest church in the city, is an admirable example of Gothic religious architecture. Inside, it houses some true artistic treasures, such as the Saint Vincent Ferrer polyptych, Pietà and Annunciation by Giovanni Bellini, works by Bartolomeo Vivarini, and the altarpiece with Saint Antoninus giving alms by Lorenzo Lotto.
The Scuola Grande di San Marco is one of the most sumptuous and harmonious works of the Venetian Renaissance. The asymmetrical façade is richly decorated with high reliefs depicting episodes from the life of the Mark the evangelist, while the interior – and in particular the sixteenth-century wooden ceiling – is richly decorated.
The focal point of the campo of the same name, the church of Santa Maria Formosa was built in the seventh century by the bishop of Oderzo, Saint Magnus. Among the works preserved here are the Saint Barbara polyptych by Palma Vecchio and the Madonna of Misericordia by Bartolomeo Vivarini from Murano.
A house museum but also a library open to all where you can read and study among the Querini family’s antique furnishings. The garden designed by Carlo Scarpa is a Zen oasis in the heart of Venice.
Rich in the history of the confraternity that once had its seat in this building, the Scuola di San Teodoro is now used as a space for concerts, exhibitions and cultural events.
The Goldoni Theatre is among the oldest in the city. The theatre has continued its activity without interruption from the first performance staged in 1622 to the present day.
The church of San Salvador owes its current structure to the reconstruction carried out in 1505-1534 by Giorgio Spavento, who was succeeded by Tullio Lombardo and Jacopo Sansovino. Inside is Titian's Annunciation, a late work by the artist, dated 1556.
The atmosphere created by Mariano Fortuny is still intact in the palazzo where this brilliant artist lived. Fortuny’s garments, works and inventions, along with his important library, can be admired at the museum, which now belongs to the Fondazione Musei Civici di Venezia.
With its mix of Gothic and Renaissance styles, Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo represents one of the typical examples of Venetian architecture. Its interior conceals an elegant spiral staircase, culminating in a domed belvedere.
Owned by French tycoon François Pinault since 2005, Palazzo Grassi houses one of the city's most important collections of contemporary and modern art. Since March, it has been possible to see Marlene Dumas' solo exhibition, Open-end, which opened as part of the monographic programme dedicated to influential artists in the contemporary art scene.
Calle della Mandola - San Marco 3716/b - Venezia
P.IVA 03751930276 - info@veneziadeigondolieri.it
Campiello dei Miracoli
+39 041 2750462 
chorusvenezia.org