San Polo

Towards the Rialto

The San Giacomo di Rialto, San Polo is the oldest church in Venice and was supposedly consecrated in the year 421. Its unknown if the city was formed at this time but the Rialto was the first group of islands to be settled. As the city developed and the islands united, the region became a commercial area. Today, San Polo still operates a large market in the Rialto area. The district hugs the inner side of the Canal Grande. This section of the city has a non-touristy, truly Italian feel, although in the northern part of the district there are several museums and galleries that attract tourists. Transportation is pretty efficient throughout the district and several highly trafficked vaporetto and traghetto stops can be found along the canal.

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of the larger churches in Venice and a good example of Franciscan Architecture. Francescan friars obtained the land in 1250 from doge Jacopo Tiepolo and immediately built a small church. with an opposite orientation compare to the modern one. Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frarithat stands today, dates back to the 14th century. At its side is a bell tower, one of the tallest in Venice, built in 1396. Titian, who is buried in the church, painted the dramatic Assumption which hangs over the altar. Another of Titan's master pieces, the Madonna di Ca' Pesaro, hangs above the Pesaro altar. Also of importance are the statue of John the Baptist by Donatello in the first chapel to the right of the sanctuary and the beautiful triptych by Bellini in the apse of the sacristy.

Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Construction of the San Rocco church was started in 1489 on a Bon's project and consectraded in 1508. Scalfarotto conducted a big restoration in the 18th century which almost changed the entire original building. The Facade was built from 1765 to 1771 on Fossati's project keeping with the Renaissance architecture of the adjoining Scuola Grande. Almost all the estatues on the facade are by sculptor G. Marchiori. Jacopo Tintoretto worked here painting the organ's doors representing 'Annunciazione and San Rocco presentato al papa. Tintoretto painted Old Testament episodes in the ceiling panels and a remarkable series of New Testament scenes around the walls. The Crucifixion occupying an entire wall of the room is a masterpiece. The small Sala dell' Albergo, off the main hall, contains the cycle's most striking paintings, including the Glorification of St Roch in the center of the ceiling.

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