The church of San Giacomo dell'Orio sits on the campo San Giacomo, a part of Venice not often visited by tourists. This square is well worth visiting during Carnevale, as simple but evocative festivities take place here, having very little in common with the over-crowded spectacle in St. Mark’s Square. The church is one of the oldest in Venice (9th Century, according to tradition) and derives its name from the Orio family. The high brick bell-tower (12th-13th Century) sits in an unusual position, possible explained by the fact that the church was restructured several times in later centuries. Inside, some of the tall marble columns were, as in other ancient churches of Venice, the spoils of wars in the Eastern Mediterranean. There is a ribbed fifteenth-century ceiling that resembles a ship’s keel. The church has an altarpiece by Lorenzo Lotto and works by Palma il Giovane.

400 - 1000 - S. CROCE - rev. 0.1.5