Basilica of St. Mary of Health

The Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute is one of the most famous churches in Venice and is located right at the entrance of the Grand Canal, in front of St. Mark’s Square, in a highly visible position.

It was built in the 17th century as an “ex voto,” meaning to give thanks to the Virgin Mary after a terrible plague (1630–1631) that had killed a large number of people in the city.

Construction began in 1631 and was completed around 1687, based on a design by the architect Baldassare Longhena.

From an architectural point of view, it is in Baroque style and is very distinctive: it has an octagonal plan and a large central dome that can be seen from almost all of Venice.

Inside, it is simpler compared to other churches, but it still contains important works by artists such as Titian and Tintoretto.

Even today it is connected to a deeply felt tradition: every November 21st, the Festa della Salute is celebrated, and for the occasion a temporary bridge of boats is built to allow people to walk to the basilica.

In short, it is a church that represents both the faith of the Venetians (born after the plague) and one of the most recognizable symbols of the city thanks to its shape and location.