Santa Maria di Nazareth Church

This church leaves everyone breathless. Extremely beautiful and rich facade leaves no one indifferent. Its rich history and majesty has inspired us to visit it again. Otherwise people just pass by it, a real pity. The Barefoot Carmelites (or Scalzi) a stricter offshoot of the Carmelite order, came to Venice in 1633 and in 1646 commissioned Baldassare Longhena (the architect of the Santa Maria della Salute church at the other end of the Grand Canal) to design them a church and monastery, dedicated to Santa Maria di Nazareth. This baroque church was built 1660-89, with finance provided by Girolamo Cavazza, and consecrated in 1705. The façade was built 1672-80, by Giuseppe Sardi. It was also paid for by Conte Cavazza, who stumped up the necessary 74,000 ducats. It is built of white marble with many statues and niches. The four statues in the first row represent, the Madonna and Child placed on a pediment, and Santa Caterina da Siena located in a niche to the left of the Madonna is the work of sculptor Bernardo Falconi. The interior of the church is so intense with beautiful frescoes, statues, ornaments and chapels that we just don’t know where to look first. Inside the church there are many works of inestimable beauty, created by famous artists, among which the name of Tiepolo stands out. The interesting thing is that two Venetian Doges were buried in this church. In the chapel of Santa Teresa, Doge Carlo Ruzzini, who died in 1735, in the chapel of the Holy Family, Doge Lodovico Manin, the last doge of the Republic of Venice, who died in 1802.

I know that there’s plenty other things to see in Venice however if you get the chance please do go and have a look at this church. It’s incredibly beautiful on the inside, extremely rich and full of various amazing sculptures, details, frescos, paintings etc.

The interior is great but the exterior that lights up at night is breathtaking

Very beautiful church, the question that come in my head is: how the people that believe in something can create all that beautifulness, and now that almost of italians don't believe in God, appreciate much more the past now.

One of the 6 churches on my must see list. Beautiful facade and interior and it is free! Somewhat unusual in that you have to exit through a gift shop that actually has some interesting herbal gifts.

Stunning church, beautiful inside and out. Amazing!!

This church is just outside the main train station in Venice and the famous Ponte delgi Scalzi. It is free to visit with contributions requested. The interior is absolutely magnificent and definitely worth experiencing.

It’s the most beautiful Church I’ve seen. If you love art and architecture I recommend you to visit Santa Maria di, Nazareth. I love to go to the mass there at 6 pm on Sunday.