Just like any Italian city, Venice is brimming with churches—you can hardly stroll down a street without encountering at least one. In fact, Venice boasts an impressive 139 churches scattered across its floating islands.
But in Italy, churches aren’t just places of worship; they’re time capsules that offer glimpses into the city’s rich history. And when you start seeing each chiesa and basilica as a walk-in museum, you won’t want to miss the opportunity to explore these stunning and historic churches in Venice Italy.
Want to know more? Keep reading!
Key Takeaways
Churches in Venice, like St. Mark’s Basilica and Santa Maria della Salute, blend spiritual significance with architectural marvels.
Visiting Venice’s churches provides a unique experience, combining faith, art, and history in every corner of the city.
What Are the Famous Churches in Venice?
The beautiful floating city has another unique side with its amazing spiritual churches and basilicas. Here’s a quick overview outline on the table about the city’s most famous churches:
| Church Names | Built Year | Church Type |
| Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto | 421 (rebuilt – 11th century) | Parish Church |
| Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta | 639 (rebuilt – 1117) | Cathedral |
| St. Mark’s Basilica | 828 (current structure – 1063) | Cathedral |
| Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute | 1631-1687 | Votive Church |
| Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari | 1250-1338 | Basilica |
| Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo | 1333-1430 | Basilica |
| Chiesa di San Giorgio Maggiore | 1566-1610 | Monastery Church |
| Chiesa di Santa Maria del Giglio | 1680-1683 | Parish Church |
| Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli | 1481-1489 | Parish Church |
| Chiesa di San Giovanni in Bragora | 829 (rebuilt – 1475 and 1505) | Basilica |
| Santa Maria della Pietà | 1745-1760 | Orphanage Church |
| Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto | 1350-1370 | Parish Church |
| Santa Maria Formosa | 1492 | Parish Church |
| Chiesa di San Pantalon | 1668-1686 | Parish Church |
| Armenian Monastery Mechitarist | 1717 | Monastery Church |
| Chiesa di San Sebastiano | 1505-1548 | Parish Church |
The above-mentioned churches have their own specialty and unique story to tell. Visiting a historic place is incomplete if you are not aware of the history, so here’s a detailed overview:
1. The Oldest Venetian Church of San Giacomo di Rialto
Location: Campo S. Giacomo di Rialto, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Gothic-style façade | Romanesque influence architecture
Rating: ★★★★★
Chiesa di San Giacomo di Rialto, also known as San Giacométo, is located alongside the renowned Rialto Bridge. This church may not be one of the largest in Venice but you can consider it as the oldest church in Venice, Italy.
It takes you back to 421 AD, when it was founded. At the entrance of the church, the iconic 24-hour clock and Gothic façade add extra charm.
Also, the interior design was designed with a central dome, which was copied later in the Renaissance. Despite facing serious fires and floods, the church has been precisely restored over the centuries, and it preserves its historical essence.
Today, it serves as a peaceful retreat for visitors in the busy Rialto market area.
2. Torcello’s Oldest Church of Santa Maria Assunta
Location: Salizada dei Spechieri, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Venetian-Byzantine sculpture | Apse Mosaic
Rating: ★★★★★
Once a busy center, Torcello is now a tranquil island that impresses tourists with its natural ambiance along with the churches. It is the church that remains the oldest surviving on the island, dating back to 639 AD.
Early Venetian architects designed this architectural masterpiece, and later, it was completed with beautiful mosaics by Byzantine artists.
Even though this church faced many challenges from nature over the years, you will still see the church’s interior with a central nave, side aisles, and an impressive 11th-century bell tower.
Inside, you’ll find breathtaking mosaics, like the dramatic “Last Judgment,” and the main apse has the beautiful “Virgin Hodegetria.”
3. The Venetian Symbol in St. Mark’s Basilica
Location: P.za San Marco, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Five Domes | Campanile Tower | Pala d’Oro
Rating: ★★★★★
This busy square is next to the St. Mark’s Basilica, one of the most beautiful churches in Venice, Italy, that you shouldn’t miss.
Constructed in the 11th century with grand domes, intricate mosaics, and marble decoration to contain the relics of St. Mark the Evangelist.
However, inside the church, you’ll be amazed by the vibrant mosaics that tell biblical stories in shimmering gold and rich colors.
And a special recommendation from us, don’t miss the Pala d’Oro, a breathtaking golden altarpiece embellished with enamels and precious stones. Basilica Di San Marco and its artistic legacy draw many visitors each year.
4. A Votive Gratitude in Santa Maria della Salute
Location: Dorsoduro,Venice
Architectural Highlights: Baroque architecture | The sacristy masterpiece
Rating: ★★★★★
Built between 1631 and 1687, this church was dedicated to the Lady of Health for Venice’s deliverance from the plague in 1630.
Adorned with statues of saints, this eye-catching octagonal church’s main facade is as impressive as its interior. And this is where you’ll find a vast, airy space under the central dome, intricate marble floors, and a beautiful altar with an icon of the Madonna and Child.
Beyond its architectural richness, La Salute holds deep cultural significance for Venetians. People gather each year on November 21st for the Festa della Salute to honor the Virgin Mary.
5. Renaissance Masterpiece of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Location: San Polo, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Gothic Architecture | Choir Stalls
Rating: ★★★★★
Built between the 13th century and the 15th century, the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa features an attractive brick facade.
With one of the tallest bell towers , the interior was also finely defined with Renaissance works of art. You’ll find some beautiful paintings there. A few of them are Titian’s stunning “Assumption of the Virgin” and “Pesaro Madonna,” along with Giovanni Bellini’s beautiful “Frari Triptych.”
Basilica Dei Frari also serves as the final resting place for Titian, Antonio Canova, and other notable figures. With grand tombs and impressive monuments, this grand gothic church beautifully captures Venice’s history, art, and architecture.
6. The Venetian Pantheon of Santi Giovanni e Paolo
Location: Campo S.S. Giovanni e Paolo, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Central Rose Window | Brick facade
Rating: ★★★★★
This massive Gothic church was started by the Dominicans in 1234 and completed in 1430. Its impressive towering brick façade and stunning interior are the attractions of the entrance.
Plus, the interior houses an impressive array of art and monuments. This basilica is also considered the Pantheon of Venice.
Because, it includes tombs of 25 doges of Venice and beautiful artworks by many famous artists like Giovanni Bellini, Lorenzo Lotto, and Paolo Veronese.
7. Codussi and Palladio’s Touch in San Giorgio Maggiore
Location: Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore 2, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Bell Tower and Panoramic view of Venetian Lagoon | Paintings
Rating: ★★★★★
The church of San Giorgio Maggiore is a 16th-century Renaissance beauty located on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore. It was designed by the famous architect Andrea Palladio and reflects all the features of the Palladian style. Moreover, its beautiful white Istrian stone facade is appreciated against the Venetian lagoon.
The basilica preserves some great collections of paintings and other canvases from artists like Tintoretto and others.
But the true highlight is the panoramic view from the public bell tower. The tower is open to the public; so make sure to visit it.
8. Tintoretto’s Artistic Touch in Santa Maria del Giglio
Location: Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Baroque facade | Number of paintings by Venetian artists
Rating: ★★★★★
Also called Santa Maria Zobenigo, is a gem in Venice’s San Marco district which was rebuilt in the late 17th century.
You can see the Baroque facade by Giuseppe Sardi. It was decorated with maps and statues at that time to celebrate the Barbaro family’s achievements. The interior has a single nave and offers collections like “Madonna and Child with the Infant Saint John.”
And as you explore the church, be sure to notice the artistic touch on the wall by Tintoretto, Palma the Younger, and others.
9. The Marble Marvel of Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Location: Campiello dei Miracoli, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Miraculous Virgin Mary icon | Barrel-vaulted ceiling with painted wooden panels
Rating: ★★★★★
This stunning Renaissance church was completed in 1489 by Pietro Lombardo to house a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary.
Its exterior is decorated with beautiful colored marble, which creates a unique appearance for the church. The interior of the church is equally impressive compared to its exterior.
You’ll also find a serene single nave with a barrel-vaulted ceiling decorated with lovely coffered panels. But the focal point of the church is the high altar, which represents the miraculous image of the Virgin Mary in a richly ornamented frame.
10. San Giovanni in Bragora
Location: Castello district, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Renaissance architecture | Paintings
Rating: ★★★★★
This charming Venetian Gothic and Renaissance architecture style church was founded in the 8th century by St. Magnus.
You might be cheated by the church’s simple brick facade, decorated with a rose window and pointed arch entrance. This venue also has some brilliant artwork, including Cima da Conegliano’s “Baptism of Christ” and pieces by the renowned Vivarini brothers.
It’s also famous as the baptism site of the great composer Antonio Vivaldi. As you explore, you’ll feel the serene atmosphere and see why this church is a beloved spot for both worship and history.
11. Vivaldi’s Musical Legacy in Santa Maria della Pietà
Location: Riva degli Schiavoni, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Unique oval interior | Painting | Altarpiece
Rating: ★★★★★
This beautiful Baroque-style church is located along the Riva degli Schiavoni and a short walk from the Doge’s Palace. Inside the church, you’ll find amazing ceiling frescoes by Tiepolo.
However, the real gem is hidden in its unique history, which makes this church extra special. As it was part of an orphanage and hospital where the famous composer Antonio Vivaldi taught music to the girls. Many of his compositions were performed right here.
Today, Della Visitazione still honors its musical roots by hosting concerts. So, it will be worth visiting for you to experience art and music at the same time.
12. The Legacy of Tintoretto in Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto
Location: Cannareggio, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Brick Gothic style facade | Nave and Aisles | Chapel of San Mauro
Rating: ★★★★★
The church of Madonna dell’Orto, which was originally built in the 14th century, is another beautiful Gothic church in Cannaregio.
Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto is also known as the ‘home’ of Tintoretto but this church was dedicated to Saint Christopher.
But the actual beauty of this church is its exterior. The facade with orange brickwork and a prominent rose window will grab your attention exactly from the outside. And for the inside, it contains some incredible art that is just on another level.
The wall of the church also includes some masterpieces by the famous artists Tintoretto, Giovanni De Franchi, and Palma il Giovane.
13. Renaissance Art & History of Santa Maria Formosa
Location: Calle Seconda de la Fava, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Two façades | The artworks in the interior
Rating: ★★★★★
Founded in the 7th century, Santa Maria Formosa was established in Venice’s Castello district. This is one of the oldest churches in Venice and was redesigned in the late 15th century by Mauro Codussi.
The Church of Santa Maria Formosa has two unique facades that were built in Renaissance and Baroque styles. The main facade faces the canal, and the secondary facade faces the campo (square).
Like the other churches of Venice, It is also filled with some incredible works. A few of them are a polyptych by Bartolomeo Vivarini and a “Last Supper” by Leandro Bassano.
And lastly, don’t miss Festa delle Marie. It is an annual festival held in February to celebrate Venetian history, that begins here. However, now it is part of the Venice Carnival celebrations around Piazza San Marco.
14. The Stunning Ceiling of Chiesa di San Pantalon
Location: Sestiere Dorsoduro, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Ceiling Painting | Baroque Architecture | The unfinished facade
Rating: ★★★★★
Venice’s Chiesa di San Pantalon is mostly known for its beautifully painted ceiling, covered with one of the world’s largest oil-on-canvas paintings. This ordinary-looking gem is located in the Dorsoduro district of San Pantalon.
This masterpiece painting describes “The Martyrdom and Apotheosis of St Pantalon”. To create the masterpiece painting, Giovanni Antonio Fumiani took over 24 years. It represents the dramatic Martyrdom and Glory of Saint Pantaleon.
Despite its unfinished facade, this church is home to beautiful artworks and altarpieces by prominent Venetian artists, like Paolo Veronese and Antonio Vivarini.
15. The Armenian Heritage of Monastery Mechitarist
Location: Isola Di San Lazzaro, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Museum | Gardens | Church of San Lazzaro | Library and Archives
Rating: ★★★★★
Just a heads-up! San Lazzaro degli Armeni
This church is quite different from the other churches of Venice. Once a leper colony, it dates back to 1717 and was transformed by Armenian monks led by Mekhitar of Sebaste.
You will find a grand library with over 150,000 books, making it a center for Armenian scholarship and preservation. Even Lord Byron studied Armenian here in the 19th century.
Today, you can explore its beautiful church, gardens, and museum in a calm and quiet environment next to nature.
16. The Ornate Decorations of San Sebastiano
Location: Campazzo S. Sebastian, Venice
Architectural Highlights: Renaissance architecture | Interior Frescoes
Rating: ★★★★★
Built between 1506 and 1548, this beautiful church has a calm ambiance and a stunning collection of works by Paolo Veronese.
In the middle of the 16th century, Veronese was hired to paint the interior of the church. He created several frescoes and canvases in San Sebastiano that showcase his mastery of color, composition, and storytelling.
However, the simple-looking exterior of Chiesa di San Sebastiano may not reflect the original beauty but the original charm is hidden inside. Especially the vibrant ceiling frescoes, organ decorations, and a large altarpiece complement the decoration of the church.
Tips for Visiting The Churches in Venice
Every place has its own culture and as travelers, we should respect them. So, before visiting the churches in Venice Italy, follow these essential tips to ensure a memorable and respectful experience:
- Ensure your shoulders and knees are covered as a sign of respect when entering churches.
- Churches may have specific visiting hours or be closed during services, so verify timings in advance. The opening and closing hours of the churches are approximately 10 am to 6 pm.
- Maintain quiet behavior, don’t use flash for photography, and respect the purity of the space.
- Chorus Pass provides access to 18 churches in Venice with a one-time purchase of €14 | $15.26.
- Don’t miss exploring the lesser-known small churches like the Church of San Sebastiano for a unique experience.
- Make sure to stay hydrated and wear comfortable shoes to walk smoothly on your trip.
Related Post: Things to Do in Venice in the Evening
Closing Thoughts
As the sun sets over the shimmering canals of Venice, the city’s churches continue to stand as timeless guardians of faith, history, and art.
From the grandeur of St. Mark’s Basilica to the quiet charm of lesser-known chapels, each visit adds a new layer to your Venetian journey.
So, lace up your walking shoes, grab your camera, and let the spiritual and architectural wonders of Venice’s churches leave a lasting mark on your heart.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What does Santa Maria mean in English?
Santa Maria means “Saint Mary” in English. In the context of Venice, “Santa Maria” typically refers to churches dedicated to the Virgin Mary.
Is Venice a holy city?
No, Venice is not considered a holy city, but it is definitely known for its rich religious history and numerous churches.
Are churches free to enter in Venice?
Some churches in Venice are free to enter, while others charge an entry fee.
Can you wear shorts in Venice churches?
Well, it’s best to avoid shorts in Venetian churches; knee-length pants and covered shoulders are preferable.
