The large Baroque basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is at the start of the Canal Grande and is one of Venice’s the most famous and impressive buildings. The American author Henry James once described the amazing size of this church as “some great lady on the threshold of her salon…”. The church is dedicated to the Madonna in thanks for the end of the plague in 1629 and was built by Baldassarre Longhena.

Ever since its consecration in 1687, the Festa della Salute is celebrated here on the 21st of November each year, when the faithful arrive in procession via a temporary bridge of boats.
The church is impossible to miss on account of its huge dome and gigantic spiral scrolls topped by statues. Inside, it has a spacious octagonal layout, under the high dome, surrounded by six chapels. The sacristy holds some masterpieces by Tiziano and an outstanding Wedding of Cana (1551) by Tintoretto.

1600 - 1700 - DORSODURO - rev. 0.1.7