The church of San Zaccaria in Venice is a little place that seems, at first glance, very basic.
However, the site hides some real treasures.
Let's discover it together!
San Zaccaria in Venice: article summary
The Church of San Zaccaria in Venice at a glance
The church of San Zaccaria is located in the Castello district and is certainly one of Venice's must-see monuments. Its history began in the 9th century with the construction of the first building to house the sacred remains of St. Zaccari, father of St. John the Baptist, donated to Venice by the Byzantine emperor Leo V the Armenian.
The first structure was joined by a convent of Benedictine nuns, built with the approval of Doges Angelo and Giustiniano Partecipazio. Unfortunately, in 1105, a devastating fire destroyed both church and monastery A tragic event in which it seems that around a hundred unfortunate nuns also lost their lives, and which led to the construction of a new building shortly afterwards.
A building linked to the city's history
But the history of the sanctuary is also linked to the most important protagonists of the political and religious events of the Middle Ages. Two anecdotes in particular are worth recalling: the first concerns Pope Benedict III, who in 855 took refuge with the Benedictines of San Zaccaria. to escape the violence of antipope Anastasio. A gesture of charity that the pontiff rewarded by offering the nuns a considerable number of relics.
The second concerns the doge's custom of paying an official visit to the nuns on Easter Day as a sign of thanksgiving for having given them the land on which the ducal chapel was built. On this solemn occasion, the doge presented the abbess with the magnificent ducal horn, symbol of its power.
The most recent history of San Zaccaria, on the other hand, begins in 1458, with the Renaissance restyling designed by architect Mauro Codussi, who gave the church a new look. its distinctive appearance.
San Zaccaria in Venice: an architectural gem
Beyond its important and prestigious history, the church of San Zaccaria is also a monument capable of arousing aesthetic emotions. Its most distinctive feature is certainly its façade: characterized by the distinctive white of its stones, it is surmounted by a series of twin columns, and "perforated" by with tall, slender windows that give momentum and rhythm to the surface.
Half-arches close the side entablatures, and an arch richly decorated with sculptures and bas-reliefs, at the top of which triumphs the sculpture of the Saint. The basement is embellished with polychrome marble in a regular, geometric pattern. The rear part is characterized by the presence of the high dome, one of the most emblematic signs of the Venetian skyline.
The interior is divided into 3 naves. The gray stone of the columns and arches stands out against the white surfaces, while the back walls are enveloped in magnificent frescoes that captivate the eye.
What are the main works of art in San Zaccaria?
First of all, there's the altarpiece created in 1505 by Giovanni Bellini, one of the most important Venetian artists. The altarpiece of San Zaccaria is one of the most important works in the history of modern art, celebrated in all the manuals of the discipline, a bridge between Piero della Francesca, Giorgione and Titian.
Another work by Andréa de Castagno, another important author of the early Renaissance, can be found in the apse of the old church. From here, you can access to the crypt built between the 10th and 11th centuriesan arduous bastion of the ancient events of San Zaccaria.
Descending into the church crypt
Walking between one doge's tomb and another, you'll come across the tomb of the famous sculptor Alessandro Vittoria. This monument has a special significance, as it was the artist who executed it with his own hands before dying. The chapel of Sant'Atanasio, a former nun's choir, with the splendid Madonna and Child with saints, created by Palma il Vecchio in 1512, is also worth a visit. one of the beautiful pieces in the crypt.
For Baroque enthusiasts, there are pieces made in the late 17th century by a range of artists, including Antonio Zanchi, Andrea Celesti and Giovanni Antonio Fumiani, to name but a few. This is where your visit ends.
What are the church opening hours?
The church of San Zaccaria is located in Campo San Zaccaria, in the Sestiere di Castello. She respects the following visiting hours:
- Monday to Saturday 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Sunday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
For its location on a map, you can look at our interactive map here.
The Church of San Zaccaria is a true monument of Venetian culture. Present for hundreds of years, it is a place that I recommend you see it at least once!
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