A splendid example of early Renaissance architecture, the church of Santa Maria dei Miracoli is Venetians’ favourite church for getting married in. A small, exclusive church, it is hidden in a labyrinth of alleys and canals in the eastern section of Cannaregio. Its façade is richly decorated with polychrome marble, bas-relief friezes and sculptures.

It was built at the end of the 15th Century by the architect Pietro Lombardo and his sons to house the Virgin and Child (or Madonna dei Miracoli), a painting from the early 1400s that was believed to have miraculous powers. Many images of the Virgin Mary were hung at crossroads in Venice or in private courtyards in the 15th Century.

The interior of the church is crowned by a vaulted ceiling with no fewer than 50 paintings of saints and prophets. The church has recently been restored thanks to funding by the American Save Venice Organization.

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1300 - 1400 - CANNAREGIO - rev. 0.1.7