Like many of you, I love to visit churches while in Italy. This is especially true of those that are a little off the beaten path, have unique features and are not too crowded. Would appreciate hearing about your favorites. Please mention where they are located and what other sights, restuarants, shops are close by.


Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari looks like a good one.

My favorite is the S. Maria d. Salute, and second favorite is the one next to the train station at the foot of the Scalzi Bridge.

Holly, you must be referring to Chiesa degli Scalzi.

I agree with Della Salute, and San Giorgio Maggiore is also nice.

Yes, Statia, that's the one. Have you been inside?

Venice has amazing churches that you'll love many. A smaller lovely church is the Greek Orthodox church.

http://www.ortodossia.it/catt-gioe.html

Have a wonderful visit.

Unfortunately I've not been inside, Holly. When we walked by a few weeks ago, it was closed. I got some photos of the exterior, though.

Appreciate all the feedback.

Is there a special term for folks like us who just love to visit churches?

Our favorites were the tiny Santa Maria dei Miracoli, on Campo dei Miracoli in Cannaregio, and the lavish Scuola Grande di San Rocco, on Campo San Rocco, San Polo district.

Another one, actually a basilica, is Giovanni e Paolo, somtimes called Zanipolo.

I like the Byzantine church of Santa Maria Assunta on Torcello island very much. That's definitely off the beaten path!! I don't think there's much else on the island, but the ferryboat that goes there also stops at Murano (or Burano, or both) as I recall. I didn't get off so I don't remember for sure.

I'm having funny researching all these great tips. Venice is small enough to group and links several at a time in area walks.

I very much recommend Madonna dell’Orto in Cannaregio. It’s in a very peaceful part of Venice, in a worker’s quarter that was the parish of Tintoretto. You’ll find many large canvases by Tintoretto in the church, including his response to Michelangelo’s Last Judgment. He is buried in the apse.

As of last count, there are some 70 plus churches/cathedrals in Venice. I haven't visited all of them, but I would bet I've been in about 40 or so. I really don't have one I would consider a favorite, though I like the San Rocco very much. Otherwise, I would suggest you don't necessarily point yourself toward any specific cathedral. Just wander along different routes and you will be amazed at what you find. There's no other place like Venice for such a density of cathedrals in such a small area. Good luck.

There is a beautiful church on Murano. Santi Maria e Donato. I think it's Romanesque. Very few tourists seem to get there as you have to get past the glass factories and souvenir shops before you find it.

Another vote for the Frari.... and the church on Torcello.

Another vote for the church on Torcello and make sure you climb the camanile for views across the lagoon to Venice.

Also Salute - particularly at 4pm on a Saturday when they have the most wonderful organ recitals.

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in the San Polo area.
Houses some beautiful works by Donatello, Tiziano and Bellini.

An emotionally-solemn, spiritually-uplifting and yet culturally-enriching church.

Hi Cato,

Thanks for this topic, I love to visit churches.

"Is there a special term for folks like us who just love to visit churches?" Probably...just not sure what it is .

OK, not one mention yet of San Marco?

Agree with everyone above. My very favorites are: both churches on Torcello, San Giorgio dei Greci (the inside is special because of the iconostasis, Santa Maria Assunta (Jesuit church ) - outside is meh, inside is over the top carved marble including brocade drapery made from inlay of white and green marble! Frari and Formosa, too.

A wee clarification: Santa Maria Assunta is the name of the cathedral on Torcello; the over-the-top white and green marble brocade church is simply called Gesuiti (it is near Fondamenta Nuove, where the boats leave for Murano, Burano, etc.).

Eloise,

There are two Gesuiti churches in Venice. The one that you correctly locate near the Fondamenta Nuove is Santa Maria Assunta, as these two web sites indicate.

The Torcello cathedral has the same name.


http://www.invenicetoday.com/art-tou...io/gesuiti.htm

http://www.a2zlanguages.com/Italy/Ve...cannaregio.htm