 Introduction
The exterior of the church is an octagonal with the building built on a platform made of 100,000 wooden piles above a canal. Constructed of Istrian stone and marmorino, it is decorated beautifully and draws many visitors.
The internal design is reminiscent of Byzantine design, like that of Basilica of San Vitale. The central nave is ringed with saints, but Mary is noted in the very structure of the building. The great dome represents her crown, the cavernous interior her womb, the eight sides the eight points on her symbolic star. Paintings by Titian are also prominent with some of the best examples being: St Mark enthroned with saints Cosmas, Damian, Sebastian and Roch; the altarpiece of the sacristy; a ceiling painting of David and Goliath, Abraham and Isaac and Cain and Abel; and eight tondi of the Doctors of the Church and the Evangelists.
The high altar was designed by Longhena and shelters a Byzantine Madonna and Child from the 12th or 13th century. Other statues consist of the queen of heaven expelling the Plague from 1670 by the Flemish sculptor Josse de Corte. Originally, this alcove held Alessandro Varotari's painting of the Virgin holding a church that the painter submitted with his architectural proposal.
The church is open from 8am till noon and from 3pm till 5pm.
History
A competition was held to decide on the design of the building. There were about a dozen plans submitted from great architects like Alessandro Varotari, Matteo Ignoli, and Berteo Belli. Two were chosen for the final round and architect Baldassare Longhena's design was finally determined as the official design. Longhena's proposal was the best fully formed plan, detailing the structure and costs. The church was completed in 1681, the year before Longhena's death.
The Senate was to maintain an important role to the church, visiting it annually on November 21st, the Feast of the Presentation of the Virgin. Participants cross the Grand Canal on a specially constructed pontoon bridge and city officials parade from San Marco to the Salute for a service of gratitude. This is still a major event in Venice.
Location
Address:
Sestiere Di Dorsoduro
Venezia 30141 Italy
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Basilica of St. Mary of Health
