If you want to discover some real gems, I suggest you visit the church of Madonna Dell'Orto.
Here you can discover one of the city's most beautiful churches.
Focus on this extraordinary place of worship!
Madonna Dell Orto : article summary
Madonna Dell Orto: a place steeped in history
The story of Madonna Dell Orto begins in the 14th century. Fra Tiberio de Parma, the head of the Order, is said to have been responsible for the original design of the church. When the church was built, an unfinished statue of the Madonna, by Giovanni de Santis, was preserved in a nearby orchard, began to develop a reputation for brilliance and miracles.
The Scuola di San Cristoforo purchased the statue, with the intention of increasing offerings to offset the cost of construction work. On June 18, 1377, it was placed on the high altar. Since that date, the church is called Madonna dell'Orto.
Start of reconstruction work
After a serious collapse of the foundations at the north end of the church, the order received 200 ducats to rebuild. Reconstruction work from 1399 onwards involved complete redecoration of the interior and construction of the new façade.
In 1669, Cistercians from San Tommaso in Torcello settled here, the canons of San Giorgio having been suppressed by Pope Clement IX. In 1787, with only three monks living here, the Republic acquired the church. It was administered by the parish priest of San Marziale as an oratory.
An administration in place for almost 100 years
In 1931, the complex reverted to the monks of the Congregation of St. Joseph of Leonardo Murialdo of Turin, who still administer it. Further restoration work was carried out in 1912 and 1930-1931, when the 19th-century interventions were cancelled.
But the great Acqua Alta of 1966 damaged the church once again. As a result of this flood, the church and its paintings have been fully restored by Venice between 1970 and 1980. The Gothic brick facade is one of the marvels of the place.
The sloping galleries of the apostles, sculpted by the Delle Masegne brothers, are unique in Venice. The façade rises in the early 15th century, with the side windows arriving a little later, followed by the doorframe.
Works of art to see at Madonna Dell'Orto church
The left side of the church features works by Tintoretto's son, Domenico. A crucifixion by Palma Giovane in the Morosoni chapel is one of the wonders presented on this side of the church.
In the first chapel on the right, Cima de Conegliano's beautiful St. John the Baptist with St. Peter, St. Mark, St. Jerome and St. Paul from 1493 stands proudly in its original stone frame. Titian's Tobias and Angel are here, relocated from the nearby church of San Marziale, a less-visited church.
The 14th-century miraculous statue of the Madonna and Child by Giovanni di Santi, largely restored with plaster, can be found in the Capella di San Mauro. There are also twenty-eight portraits of Venetian saints and beatified persons, painted by various artists in the 17th century. Here you'll find a modern portrait of San Leonardo Murialdo, the order's founder, who has led the church since 1931.
In the first chapel on the left is a color photograph of Giovanni Bellini's small panel painting of the Madonna and Child. Stolen from the church on March 1, 1993, the painting was restored in 1969 following its previous theft.
What are the opening hours of the Madonna Dell Orto church?
To visit the site, you can go to :
- Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Please note that the church is closed on Sundays.
How much does admission cost?
Unlike other Venice churches which are totally free of charge, you will be charged €3 per person to visit this place!
The church of the Madonna Dell'Orto is not a well-known tourist attraction. Yet the building conceals real historical and artistic interest. If you're visiting Venice, I highly recommend a visit!
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