Santo Stefano Church

Venice, Italy

Santo Stefano is the third largest monastery church in Venice. Built by the Augustinian Hermits in the 13th century, it was re-structured a century later, and subsequent embellishments made it into one of the finest examples of Venetian Flamboyant Gothic architectures. On the fourteenth-century façade in brick, the superb marble portal is highly underlined, work by Bartolomeo Bon. The church was reconsecrated in 1374.

The sacristy contains a veritable museum with some of the great names in Venetian Renaissance art. On the side walls there is the 'Last Supper' (1579-80), 'The Risen' (1565 ca.), 'Christ Washing the Apostles Feet' (1579-80), and 'Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane' (1579-80) by Jacopo Tintoretto, works contemporaneously realized for Scuola di San Rocco, and a 'Sacred Family with Maria Maddalena and Saint Caterina' (1528-30) by Bonifacio De 'Pitati.

Of other significance there is 'Saint Nicola from Bari' and 'Saint Lorenzo' (1475 ca.) by Bartolomeo Vivarini which both place side by side to 'The Crucifixion' (1775 ca.) by Giuseppe Angeli; above there is the 'Martyrdom of Saint Stefano' (1630 ca. - 1638) by Sante Peranda.

On the opposite side you will find 'The Escape from Egypt', 'The Adoration of the Magicians', and the 'Massacre of the Innocents' (1733) by Gaspare Diziani.

In the sacristy there is also a museum of sculpturs where a fine sculptur of 'Saint Sebastiano' by Tullio Lombardo is found. Such as 'Saint Andrea' and 'Saint Girolamo' (1476-1480 ca.) by Pietro Lombardo and his assistants, and a beautiful sculpture by Antonio Canova; the 'Stele Funeraria del Senatore Giovanni Falier' (1808).

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Details

Founded: 13th century
Category: Religious sites in Italy

More Information

www.chorusvenezia.org

Rating

4.4/5 (based on Google user reviews)

User Reviews

Dobrica Indjic (5 months ago)
Very nice place ! I really enjoyed here. You should visit around 6:00 since that is less crowded in that period.
Charles Salmon (2 years ago)
One of the most beautiful squares in venice, lovely cafes and in the corner one of the last handmade putti (wooden angels) shop in venise.
Richard Wood (2 years ago)
OMG, this place is ideal for people watching or just being amongst the locals going about their business, a perfect little square ( 1 of many in Venice) to take a coffee and a break from the walking.
Vincent Randy Heslop (2 years ago)
We wandered into one of many Venice courtyards and found this delightful restaurant. We were seated with a nice table facing the courtyard giving us a perfect vantage point for people watching. The cuisine was perfectly prepared with fresh ingredients and served with bravado! We were impressed! FOLLOW ME for more thoughtful recommendations as I travel the world ?
Lawrence Myers (2 years ago)
On our second trip to Venice, our 2-hour with Laura was a wonderful way to get to know Venice better and through the eyes of a bona fide Venetian. We wandered through numerous local neighborhoods and came away with lots of insider knowledge (cuisine, history, anecdotes) that we were eager to share. Thanks again to Laura for an excellent experience, and also for such a warm and enthusiastic welcome to this incredibly special city. Grazie mille!
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