You may have heard of Scuola Grande di San Marco.
This is probably one of the best things to do in Venice.
It's also one of Venice's 7 grandiose schools, each presenting a monumental feat of art and architecture.
But what exactly are Venice's scuole, and what makes them so unique in the city?
Scuola Grande di San Marco: article summary
- A brief history: what are the Scuole Grandi in Venice?
- What's the difference between large and small schools?
- What makes Venice's Scuole Grandi so unique?
- Scuola Grande di San Marco: school details
- What are the opening hours of the Scuola Grande di San Marco?
- How much does admission to the Scuola del San Marco cost?
A brief history: what are the Scuole Grandi in Venice?
The scuole grandi ("great schools") were religious brotherhoods. First founded by Venetian laymen in the 13th century, they served as emanations of a religious movement. They were essentially charitable institutions offering a kind of welfare system for members of the poorer classes, widows and orphans. This included providing money, food, social housing, clothing. They even paid for the funerals of members who otherwise couldn't afford it.
All social classes could join a scuola ("school"), including women. However, members of the hereditary patriciate, such as the clergy, could not participate in any internal administration.
A grassroots association financed by local residents
These schools were financed by donations and membership subscriptions, as well as generous gifts and bequests from nobility seeking salvation in the afterlife.
The first major schools in Venice - the Scuola di Maria della Carità, San Marco and San Giovanni Evangelista - were founded between 1260 and 1261. The Scuola di Misericordia was founded in 1308, followed by San Rocco in 1478. San Teodoro achieved scuola grande status in the 16th century, while the Scuola dei Carmini was the last of the to be recognized in 1767.
What's the difference between large and small schools?
You may also have heard of Venice's scuole piccoli ("little schools"). The Scuola degli Schiavoni is a rather special example, decorated from floor to ceiling. with narrative paintings by Vittore Carpaccio and is well worth a visit.
However, the scuole piccoli did not always share the wealth and prestige of the scuole grandi, individually recognized by the Council of Ten and each affiliated to one of Venice's main churches. The scuole piccoli were much smaller brotherhoods with varying functions.
Some were primarily religiously motivated, while others acted as centers for colonies of foreign residents such as Turkish or Slav merchants, others acted as craft and trade guilds. Famous but humble artists such as Giovanni Bellini and Tintoretto belonged to a scuola piccolo.
What makes Venice's Scuole Grandi so unique?
While confraternities were common throughout medieval Italy, Venice's scuole were also important civic institutions under the secular control of the Venetian government. Even the name "scuola" was unique to Venice.
Alongside their civic and religious purpose, the scuole grandi took on increasingly political roles. They acted as an autonomous government for the citizen class ("cittadini"), who were otherwise excluded from the high offices of government reserved for the noble patriciate. This became an effective and intelligent way for the Venetian government toencourage social cohesion.
The construction of the grandiose scuole coincided with the height of the Venetian Republic's political and economic power. Eventually, scuole replaced their charitable origins, investing masses of money in what were in effect vanity projects, works of art, processional banners, competing with each other for prestige and grandeur.
Scuola Grande di San Marco: school details
The Scuola di San Marco is one of the oldest in Venice. It was founded in 1260, but in 1437 it was moved to Campo Santi Giovanni. e Paolo in Castello, one of the city's most beautiful squares. Its dedication to the patron saint of Venice guaranteed the scuola immediate wealth and prestige. The building's facade, with its marble windows and winged lion bas-reliefs, was built on the basis of the Saint Mark's Basilica.
In the 1800s, the state transformed the scuola into a civic hospital, and it remains so to this day. However, you can still visit the main hall and the Sala dell'Albergo, with its carved blue and gold ceiling. Its narrative paintings are signed Domenico Tintoretto and Palma il Giovane.
What are the opening hours of the Scuola Grande di San Marco?
To visit the site, I advise you to go there:
- Tuesday to Saturday 9.30 a.m. to 5.30 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Sundays.
How much does admission to the Scuola del San Marco cost?
To visit the site, you'll need admission tickets. These can be purchased on site, and cost just :
- 8 € per adult
- 6 € for under-26s
The Scuola Grande di San Marco is an institution that has left its mark on the face of Venice. During your visit, I recommend stopping for a moment to take in the beauty of this building. You'll be able to contemplate centuries of history standing before you.
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