Cannaregio
Chiesa dei Santi Geremia e Lucia

This church is dedicated to Saint Lucy. Born in 283 into a wealthy family in Syracuse, Sicily, Lucy devoted her life to Christianity. A non-Christian suitor, angered by her refusal to marry him, denounced her to the Roman authorities. After her trial she was to be burnt at the stake, but, according to legend, God protected her. She began preaching, and the prefect urged the crowd to kill her. A soldier then stabbed her to death on 13 December 304. Her tomb soon became a site of pilgrimage.

Over the centuries her relics were moved repeatedly, eventually arriving in Venice in the 13th century—first to San Giorgio Maggiore and later to this church.

Artists often depict Saint Lucy with a golden plate holding a pair of eyes, inspired by the legend that her admirer repeatedly praised her beautiful eyes.

The original church of Santa Lucia, dedicated to her in 1313, was demolished in 1861–63 to make way for the main railway station. As compensation, the station was named after her. Her remains were moved once more to the Church of San Geremia, founded in 1013. On 11 July 1860 they were placed in the chapel that now bears her name.

Opening hours: Monday–Sunday, 9.30–13.00 h & 14.30–17.00 h
Admission: No reliable information available; likely free
Address: Campo San Geremia, 334, 30121 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (1,171 reviews)

Cannaregio
Chiesa di Santa Maria di Nazareth (degli Scalzi)

This church is conveniently located near the railway station, beside the Ponte degli Scalzi spanning the Grand Canal. It was founded by the Discalced Carmelites (“scalzo” means barefoot), hence the name of the bridge. The Carmelites received permission to build in 1636, construction began in 1654, and the church was consecrated in 1705.

Once, the church housed Tiepolo’s Traslazione della Santa Casa di Loreto, but it and large parts of the building were destroyed by a bomb in 1915 during the First World War.

The two-storey façade features Corinthian double columns stacked above each other—a late Baroque masterpiece completed between 1672 and 1680 by Giuseppe Sardi. Niches contain statues of Saint Mary Magdalene, Saint Sebastian, Saint Margaret, and John the Baptist.

Inside, the space was designed by Giuseppe Pozzo. His brother, architect Andrea Pozzo, is famous for the trompe-l’œil dome fresco of Sant’Ignazio in Rome and for redesigning the Jesuit Church in Vienna. The main altar of this relatively small church (45 m long, 25 m wide, 24 m high) is lavish and reminiscent of Bernini’s altar in St Peter’s Basilica.

The church also features a charming garden—the “Mystical Garden”—a peaceful oasis where melissa is grown for the renowned Acqua di Melissa (lemon balm water).

Opening hours: Weekdays and public holidays, 07.00–13.00 h & 14.30–18.45 h
Admission: No reliable information; likely free
Address: Cannaregio, 54, 30121 Venice
Google rating: 4.7 (676 reviews)

Cannaregio
Sant’Alvise

The unassuming brick façade gives little hint of the interior’s splendour. Sant’Alvise is dedicated to Saint Louis of Toulouse, whose feast day falls on 19 August. The church was originally built around 1338 as a basilica, with the only decoration on the façade being a statue of the saint above the portal.

The interior, however, dates largely from the 17th century, following a major restoration and almost complete redesign. A particular highlight is the ceiling, frescoed in 1674 by Pietro Antonio Torri and Pietro Ricchi. Two important paintings by Pietro della Vecchia also stand out, depicting the Abduction of the Body of Saint Mark and the Saracens’ Refusal to Inspect the Basket Containing Saint Mark’s Body, which may have inspired the mosaic decorations at the portals of St Mark’s Basilica.

Visiting hours: Monday–Saturday, 10.30–13.30 h & 14.30–17.00 h
Admission: EUR 3.50; included in the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Free entry for children under 11, clergy, disabled visitors and companions, and ICOM members
Address: Campo Sant’Alvise, 3205, 30121 Venice
Google rating: 4.5 (322 reviews)

Cannaregio
Madonna dell’Orto

This church boasts connections to many celebrated artists. It was founded in 1377, by donations, to house a miraculous Madonna statue discovered in a nearby orto (garden). The church was completed in 1400, though the façade was not finished until 1464. Its design was inspired by the Frari and Santi Giovanni e Paolo (Zanipolo).

The main portal was designed by the prominent architect Bartolomeo Bon, who also worked on the Ca’ d’Oro and, alongside his father Giovanni, created the Porta della Carta linking the Doge’s Palace courtyard to St Mark’s Basilica. The Madonna dell’Orto portal is therefore an important example of late-Gothic sculpture. The arch is crowned with a statue of Saint Christopher, patron of merchants, and flanked by later-added columns, each bearing a Madonna. Other façade sculptures include figures of the Virtues and the twelve Apostles.
This church is also considered the most extensively restored in Venice.

Inside, visitors will encounter works by numerous important artists, foremost among them Jacopo Tintoretto, who is also buried here and represented with seven pieces. There are reportedly works by Titian, Bellini, and Cima da Conegliano as well, though this awaits confirmation.

Visiting hours: Daily, 10.30–17.00 h (subject to change)
Admission: EUR 3,50 – included in the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Address: Cannaregio, 3512, 30121 Venice
Google rating: 4.5 (1,562 reviews)

Cannaregio
Chiesa di Santa Maria Assunta, known as I Gesuiti

This small church, originally built as Santa Maria Assunta around 1155, is universally referred to as I Gesuiti. Today, it serves as a Jesuit church and deviates from conventional church architecture. Between 1715 and 1729, Domenico Rossi remodelled it in the Baroque style, creating a barrel-vaulted nave with irregular side chapels. These chapels were once symmetrical, but the Jesuits preferred a more unconventional layout.

The façade is adorned with twelve apostles, and the pediment depicts the Assumption of Mary surrounded by angels.

Inside, works by Titian and Tintoretto can be admired. The Pozzos are also represented: Giuseppe Pozzo, brother of the more famous Andrea, designed the altar featuring ten twisted columns reminiscent of those in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome.

Visiting hours: Daily, 10.30–12.30 h and 14.30–17.30 h (subject to change)
Admission: Rumoured to be around 1 €
Address: Salizada dei Spechieri, 4877, 30121 Venice VE, Italy
Google rating: 4.7 (989 reviews)

Cannaregio
Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli

Admittedly, the name Miracoli might make you think of pasta (at least in Germany that was a brand) – but the church’s story is far more fascinating!

This church is remarkable for two architectural reasons:
a) It was designed, built, and decorated entirely by a single artist, Pietro Lombardo, and his workshop.
b) It has never been altered, preserving its original appearance as a unified creation.

In 1408, Francesco Amadi commissioned a painting of the Madonna and Child by Niccolò di Pietro, believed to be miraculous. To house this revered artwork, the family commissioned the church between 1481 and 1489. The painting was officially recognised by Pope Sixtus IV for veneration of the Immaculate Conception.

The façade is equally distinctive: rather than the usual flanking towers, it features a gently curved roofline. The interior follows the same design ethos, with a single nave and a barrel-vaulted ceiling, and the miraculous painting remains prominently on the high altar.

Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 10.30–17.00 h
Admission: EUR 3,50 – included with the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Address: Campiello dei Miracoli, 30121 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (2,072 reviews)

Cannaregio
Jewish Quarter

The sacred buildings of Venice’s Jewish Quarter also merit a mention. While we haven’t visited them ourselves, Susi has prepared a report on the area.

Sinagoga Italiana – Google rating: 4.3 (50 reviews)

Orthodox Synagogue – Google rating: 4.8 (338 reviews)

The quarter is rich in history and architecture, and is well worth exploring for those interested in Venice’s cultural and religious diversity.

Dorsoduro
Santa Maria della Salute

We’ve dedicated a separate article to Santa Maria della Salute, where you’ll find everything about its history, architecture, and artistic treasures.

Opening hours:
Daily: 9.00–12.00 h and 15.00–17.30 h
Admission: Unfortunately unclear
Address: Dorsoduro 1, 30123 Venice
Google rating: 4.7 (12,561 reviews)

Dorsoduro
Santa Maria dei Carmini

Commonly known as I Carmini, the church takes its name from the former Carmelite monastery that once stood beside it. Construction began in 1286, though extensive rebuilding in the 16th century reshaped it in full Renaissance style.

The façade is modest: red brick relieved with white marble detailing. Above the portal sits a Madonna and Child, the pediment is adorned with a radiant sun, and five saints stand sentinel along the roofline.

Like many Venetian churches, it has its own campanile, dating from the 17th century. A lightning strike in 1982 destroyed the original statue of the Madonna del Carmine at the top; it has since been replaced.

Inside, the church is particularly rich in art—much of which we hope to admire soon ourselves. Highlights include a 24-panel cycle in the cloister garden and Cima da Conegliano’s Adoration of the Christ Child (1509), one of the church’s true treasures. Lorenzo Lotto is represented by his luminous Apotheosis of St Nicholas (1527–29), while Tintoretto’s early work Jesus in the Temple (1541–42) adds further weight to the collection. The ceiling is remarkable too: in 1708 Sebastiano Ricci painted it on a shimmering gold ground.

Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 08.30–13.00 h and 14.00–18.00 h
Admission: No published prices; included in the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Address: Sestiere Dorsoduro 2612, 30123 Venice
Google rating: 4.7 (361 reviews)

Dorsoduro
Santa Maria del Rosario (Gesuati)

Often referred to simply as “Gesuati”, the church takes its name from the former community of the Gesuati. When Pope Clement IX dissolved the order in 1668, their property passed to the Dominicans, who later built the present church in the 18th century.

The foundation stone was laid in 1726, making this a comparatively young Venetian church. The Dominicans intended it to promote devotion to the Rosary and to honour the glory of their order—hence the dedication to Santa Maria del Rosario.

Architect Giorgio Massari drew inspiration from several eminent Venetian buildings: the façade echoes San Giorgio Maggiore, while the interior recalls Il Redentore. Remarkably, the entire church was completed in only ten years, fully funded by donations.

The limestone façade features four statues in niches, each depicting a classical virtue: Prudence, Justice, Fortitude and Temperance.

Inside, the decoration is especially rich. Giambattista Tiepolo painted the magnificent ceiling frescoes between 1737 and 1739:

• The Virgin Appears to St Dominic
• The Virgin Presenting the Rosary to St Dominic
• The Glory of St Dominic

He also contributed an oil painting titled The Virgin Appearing to the Dominican Saints Catherine of Siena, Rose of Lima and Agnes of Montepulciano.
Sebastiano Ricci created the altarpiece in the first chapel on the left, while Tintoretto is represented by his dramatic Crucifixion in the third chapel on the left.

Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 10.30–13.30 h and 14.30–17.00 h
Admission: No published prices; included in the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Address: Fondamenta Zattere ai Gesuati, 30123 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (505 reviews)

Dorsoduro
Other Churches

Chiesa di San Sebastiano
A must-visit for art lovers, this church is famous for its stunning interior painted by Paolo Veronese, who is also buried here. The church dates largely from the early 16th century and offers a peaceful, light-filled space perfect for contemplation and photography.

Opening hours: Monday–Saturday, 10.30 – 17.00 h
Admission: EUR 3.50; included in the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Address: Campazzo S. Sebastian, 30123 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (609 reviews)

San Marco
Basilica di San Marco

A full guide to the Basilica di San Marco (St. Mark’s Basilica) is available separately, detailing its fascinating history and rich artistic decoration. This iconic landmark is a must-visit for anyone exploring Venice.

Opening hours: Monday–Saturday: 09.30 – 17.15 h; Sunday: 14.00 – 17.15 h
Admission: Various prices depending on areas accessed
Address: Piazza San Marco, 328, 30100 Venice
Google rating: 4.7 (26,948 reviews)

San Marco
Chiesa di Santa Maria del Giglio

Also known as Santa Maria Zobenigo, this church owes its alternative name to the Slavic Jubanico family, whose Venetian dialect version was Zobenigo. They generously funded the church’s construction. The other name, Santa Maria del Giglio (Saint Mary of the Lilies), refers to the lilies held by the Archangel Gabriel during the Annunciation.

The church dates back to the 9th century, though its present form is 17th-century. The striking Baroque façade was designed by Giuseppe Sardi and commemorates Antonio Barbaro, captain of the seas, illustrating his five brothers and his battles.

A highlight is the cloister encircling the church, built between 1755–56 with contributions from prominent Venetian painters including Francesco Zugno, Giambattista Crosato, and Jacopo Marieschi.

Art lovers will enjoy Peter Paul Rubens’ Madonna with Child and the Infant John in the Capella Molin — the only work by Rubens in Venice. Tintoretto also features here with his Four Evangelists behind the high altar. The church’s redesign and lavish decoration were likely possible due to a substantial donation by the Barbaro family in 1680.

Opening hours: Monday–Saturday: 10:30 – 17:00
Admission: EUR 3,50 – included in the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Address: Campo Santa Maria del Giglio, 30125 Venice
Google rating: 4.7 (2,659 reviews)

San marco
Other churches are

Chiesa di San Vidal

Opening hours: Open daily, 24 hours a day
Admission: Free
Address: Campo S. Vidal, 2862, 30124 Venice
Google rating: 4.7 (936 reviews)

Concerts take place at this church.

Chiesa di Santo Stefano

Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10.30 – 17.00 h
Admission: EUR 3.50; part of the Church Passport!
Address: S. Marco, 3471C, 30124 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (156 reviews)

Santa Croce
Chiesa di San Simeon Piccolo

This is the very first church you see when arriving in Venice, located directly opposite Santa Lucia train station.

Up until the 15th century, it had a “traditional” church layout: three naves and an eastward orientation parallel to the Grand Canal.

In 1718, a full renovation turned everything upside down. Architect Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto created one of Italy’s earliest neoclassical buildings. He completely redesigned the layout from a three-nave plan to a circular one, abandoning the eastward axis and instead orienting the church to face the Grand Canal—a minor scandal at the time. The façade and roof were transformed, resembling a miniature Pantheon. The entrance features a portico with four columns and a triangular pediment, while a large dome crowns the circular structure, topped by a statue.

Opening hours: Not listed; perhaps accessible only during Mass
Admission: Free?
Address: Santa Croce, 698, 30135 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (284 reviews)

Santa Croce
Other Churches in the District

Chiesa di San Stae
Opening hours: Monday to Saturday, 10.30 – 17.00 h (ticket sales and last entry 10 minutes before closing)
Admission: EUR 3.50. Included in the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Address: Salizada San Stae, 1982, 30135 Venice
Google rating: 4.5 (269 reviews)

Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giacomo dall’Orio
Opening hours: Monday – Saturday, 10.30 – 13.30 h & 14.30 – 17.00 h
Admission: Free? Included in the Venice Church Pass – Chorus Pass
Address: Campo S. Giacomo da l’Orio, 1587, 30135 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (159 reviews)

The Outer Islands
Burano, Murano & Co.

San Michele Island

Chiesa di San Michele
We have not yet prepared a dedicated report for this church, but it is the main site on the cemetery island.

Opening hours: Daily, 7.30 – 16.30 h
Admission: Free
Address: Isola di San Michele, 30121 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (338 reviews)

Murano

Duomo Basilica dei Santi Maria e Donato / Santa Maria e San Donato
A must-visit when on Murano, famous for its glassmaking. This is one of the oldest churches in the lagoon, originally founded in the 7th century by refugees from the mainland. It was restored in the 9th century and fully rebuilt in the 12th century.

The basilica showcases Venetian-Byzantine style, with the apse facing east. The main entrance faces west, creating a grand façade for visitors arriving by sea. The hexagonal floor plan includes numerous niches, and the interior is adorned with a remarkable mosaic of a praying Madonna, with mosaic flooring throughout.

A Baroque renovation took place in 1695, adding larger windows in the clerestory, but these were reversed in 1858 to restore the original appearance. Notably, the church holds four large bones behind the altar, allegedly from a dragon slain by St Donatus in Greece, though likely whale ribs.

It shares parish duties with San Pietro Martire on the island.

Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9.00 – 17.00 h, Sun 11.30 – 16.00 h
Admission: EUR 3.50
Address: Campo S. Donato, 11, 30141 Venice
Google rating: 4.5 (1,662 reviews)

Other Murano Churches

Chiesa Arcipretale di San Pietro Martire
Opening hours: Not specified
Admission: Free
Address: Campiello Marco Michieli, 5, 30141 Venice
Google rating: 4.5 (408 reviews)

Former Santa Chiara
Today The Glass Cathedral – glass-blowing demonstration
Opening hours: Tue–Sun, 10:30 – 17:00
Admission: from EUR 14 for the show
Address: Fondamenta Manin, 1, 30141 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (1297 reviews)

Chiesa di Santa Maria degli Angeli
Opening hours: Mon–Sat 9.00 – 17.00, Sun 12.00 – 15.30
Admission: Free
Address: Fondamenta Cristoforo Parmense, 48C, 30141 Venice
Google rating: 4.4 (130 reviews)

Burano

Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Martino Vescovo
Opening hours: Daily, 8.00 – 12.00 h + 15.00 – 19.00 h
Admission: Free
Address: P.za Baldassarre Galuppi, 20, 30142 Venice
Google rating: 4.6 (1,801 reviews)

Includes Cappella di Santa Barbara

Mazzorbo

Chiesa di Santa Caterina in Mazzorbo
Address: Fondamenta di Santa Caterina, 54, 30142 Venice
Google rating: 4.7 (107 reviews)

Lido

Chiesa Arcipretale (già cattedrale) di Santa Maria Assunta
Opening hours: Thursday 17.00–19.00 h; Saturday 9.00–12.00 h; Sunday 9.00–16.00 h
Address: Campo della Chiesa, 1, 30126 Venice
Google rating: 4.8 (32 reviews)

Chiesa Patronato di Santa Maria Elisabetta
Address: Via Isola di Cerigo, 2, 30126 Venice
Google rating: 4.4 (172 reviews)