This large Venetian church is dedicated to Saints John and Paul, two Roman martyrs from the 3rd Century. This Gothic church with its Latin cross plan was commissioned by the Dominican Order.
Work started on the church in 1234; it was finally completed in 1430. The large exterior has a brick façade and elaborate portal with a pointed arch by the master stonemason Bartolomeo Bon. The interior is equally impressive, with its cross-vault, huge columns, Venice’s most beautiful choir and the magnificent altarpiece painted by Lorenzo Lotto, called the Charity of St. Antonino dated 1542 that depicts an elegant Turkish carpet. Lorenzo Lotto often included oriental rugs in his paintings, accurately reproducing their patterns.

Many people refer to the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo as the “Pantheon of Venice”, as it contains the tombs of 25 doges, fine works by master sculptors. Dominican churches were highly favoured as final resting places, especially in Venice. The Dominican monks here were in charge of the court of the Inquisition and so enjoyed particularly good relations with the State authorities.

1100 - 1200 - CASTELLO - rev. 0.1.5