Top Things to do in City of Venice
Things to do in City of Venice, Veneto: The Best Sacred & Religious Sites
Discover the best top things to do in City of Venice, Italy including Scuola Grande di San Rocco, Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, Campo del Ghetto, Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pieta, Chiesa di San Zaccaria, Chiesa di San Sebastiano, Chiesa di San Salvador, Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Chiesa di San Francesco della Vigna, Church of San Pantalon.
Restaurants in City of Venice
1. Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,962 reviews
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is a lay confraternity founded in 1478. The popularity of the cult of St. Roch, whose remains had been in the possession of the brotherhood since 1485, contributed to the latter’s rapid expansion to the extent of it becoming the richest Scuola of the city. At that point it was decided to build a new monumental headquarters and engage Tintoretto to decorate it with his most celebrated pictorial cycle, illustrating episodes from the New and Old Testaments. It is the only one of the historic Scuole Grandi to have survived the fall of the republic. It is a unique site, where over 60 paintings are preserved in their original setting in a building that has hardly undergone any alteration since its construction. The confraternity is still active today, carrying out its traditional charitable duties as well as looking after its extraordinary artistic patrimony.
Reviewed By 760billa - Spring Lake, United States
The Scuola Grande di San Rocco is one of those places that I suspect many visitors to Venice have never heard about. But, it should make every tourist's short list of places to see while in Venice. It features the artwork of the Italian painter, and master of the Venetian school, known as Tinteretto. To appreciate the history behind this building and the life story of Tinteretto, I highly recommend using the audio guide which is available for a reasonable charge. The audio guide will lead you through three floors of artwork. You can choose how much or how little detail you care to listen to. Even if you only have an hour, I think this is a must do attraction in Venice.
2. Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,171 reviews
Originally built in the mid-13th century, Santa Maria Glorisoa dei Frari (St. Mary of the Friars) houses many masterpieces of Venetian Renaissance art, notably Giovanni Bellini's triptych "Madonna and Child with Saints," the "Assumption" and the "Pesaro Madonna" by Titian, Saint John the Baptist by Donatello.
Reviewed By rzoe - Cambridge, United States
This Basilica is home to Titian's Assumption of Mary which is one of the most beautiful paintings in the world - it takes your breath away. It's 22 feet high, 11 feet wide and is perfect for its place on the high altar of the church. The church also has some fine Bellini's, but the reason to go there is the Titian. We were there is September and there were very few tourists so were able to sit and look at the painting in peace.
3. Campo del Ghetto
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,294 reviews
Dating back to the 16th-century, this is the oldest Jewish Ghetto in the world with its five synagogues, which are the oldest still existing.
Reviewed By 303SteveA303 - Bath, United States
When you describe the experience of visiting Venice, it seems to always include St Mark', the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge, the Grand Canal and perhaps a day in Murano across the lagoon. We stayed in the Canneregio neighborhood and enjoyed a part of Venice that is a little removed from the main tourist areas. It is also where the Jewish ghetto is and we found it to be a very interesting place to wander about and explore. The story of Jews in Venice is fascinating. Our visit to the Jewish museum on the Campo del Ghetto Nuovo gave us a better understanding of the role that Jews played in the social and economic history of Venice. The tour they offer of the old synagogues in the ghetto is also excellent to help understand the religious traditions Jews brought to Venice. As in other parts of Venice, there are canals, narrow streets, and squares; but here there are also old gates intended to lock in residents of the ghetto after dark. There is also an excellent kosher restaurant, Gam Gam, nearby that serves some really good food and should not be missed. Right down the street from the restaurant is a wonderful pastry shop .... another reason to visit the ghetto.
4. Chiesa di Santa Maria della Pieta
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 214 reviews
Built in 1745 by architect Masaari, the façade of this church has a classical style, and is noted for the presence of Gian Battista Tiepolo's masterpieces, the "Fortezza e la Pace" and the "Trionfo delle Fede," which is painted on the ceiling.
Reviewed By 359jh - Toronto, Canada
This church is smaller than some, but definitely has a wow factor, especially if you attend one of the Vivaldi concerts. My daughter and I attended an evening performance of Vivaldi's Four Seasons in the church and the quality of the musicians and the actual sound was inspiring. This church does have an historical connection to Vivaldi as it was his church and he performed and directed music right in it while living in Venice. Just awesome and a lovely night out. Venice is amazing, but there is nothing like Venice in the evening. Have a lovely dinner by the Grand Canal and pair it with a trip to Chiesa Santa Maria della Pieta!
5. Chiesa di San Zaccaria
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 636 reviews
Reviewed By saibot - Huntersville, United States
We stumbled upon this place after coming back from Murano via the boat dock of the same name. Nice square to get a little bit of breathing room. Lots of good dining options around there too! The church itself was very interesting, & a great no cost attraction to see some amazing architecture & art. Worth the visit!
6. Chiesa di San Sebastiano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 127 reviews
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
The Church of Saint Sebastian is a Chorus Pass church. You will find Paolo Veronese’s series of paintings. You can pay your respects to him as he is buried here underneath his masterpieces – his memorial plaque is to the right of the organ – but don’t miss Titian’s San Nicolò to the right of the entry. Peek into the sacristy to glimpse Veronese's glowing Coronation of the Virgin on the ceiling.
7. Chiesa di San Salvador
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 139 reviews
Reviewed By lpMaggi713 - Baltimore, United States
Not far from the Rialto Bridge is this small church. You can actually enter from the Campo San Salvador or from the famous shopping street, Mercerie. The church has been renovated many times. The façade was done by Giuseppe Sardi in 1663. The bell tower came later. The church is stunning with works by Jacopo Sanovino, Titian, Francesco Vecellio and Alessandro Vittoria. Pay particular attention to the main altar which is marble and has a statue of Christ by Guglielmo dei Grigi. The church has magnificent flooring and there are three domes with lanterns letting in the natural light.
8. Santa Maria dei Miracoli
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 828 reviews
Reviewed By terry4800 - Warrington, United Kingdom
This is a beautiful church and well worth the time to visit to see the marble panelling inside and the ornate roof decoration. Not as big or imposing as some of the others but in that lies its beauty.
9. Chiesa di San Francesco della Vigna
10. Church of San Pantalon
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 544 reviews
Reviewed By Bodhisattva_75 - Milan, Italy
Church of San Pantalon is a treasure chest with a very special treasure inside. Its facade is somewhat ordinary but once you set foot in the church you will be amazed! The ceiling is fully covered with a huge oil paint - the most extensive in the entire world - consisting of 40 canvas. It took painter Giovanni Antonio Fumiani 24 years to complete his job. As you get in if you go to the right side you can use a 1 Euro coin to have the ceiling illuminated: especially useful if you visit the church late in the afternoon or on a dark winter day. Please always check opening hours on the church official website before you go. Once you leave the church you can have wonderful cicheti and excellent red wine at a nearby bacaro. Its name is "El Sbarlefo San Pantalon".
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