Palladio's Churches

The Reinvention 'all'antica' of Sacred Architecture in Renaissance Venice

Last Supper

Tintoretto Last Supper

The dazzling, white limestone façades of the churches of San Giorgio Maggiore and the Redentore, glaring against the shimmering blue waters of St. Mark’s Basin, are undoubtedly one of the most extraordinary and stunning sights in the city. The two temples, standing on the islands of San Giorgio Maggiore and Giudecca right across St. Mark’s Square, are the brainchild of Andrea Palladio.

Regarded as one of the most influential and ingenious architects of the western world, Palladio was influenced by Vitruvius and inspired by Roman classical architecture. He reinterpreted antiquity for his own time, and his ideas spread across Britain and America.

While San Giorgio’s was designed for the prestigious and wealthy Benedictines residing on the island, Redentore’s on Giudecca was commissioned by the Venetian government to thank Christ, the Redeemer, at the end of the catastrophic pestilence in 1576. The church became the destination of a solemn water procession to remember the city’s deliverance from the plague.

Redentore Church

Church of Redentore

You will admire the grandiose and rational proportion of the two buildings and understand the genius of their inventor. In San Giorgio’s, of course, we shall not miss the best panoramic view over the city and the lagoon, and take the elevator to the top of the church belltower!

DURATION: 2 hours

TOUR PRICE:  € 170.00

ENTRANCE FEES: San Giorgio’s belltower: € 8.00; reduction: € 6.00 
Redentore’s Church: € 3.50

PLEASE NOTE:
The tour price is for a party of 1 to 8 people, and doesn’t include admission fees. 
Should your party have more than 8 participants, please contact us for a quote.

 

Venice with a Guide            

           

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