Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Minor basilica in Castello, Venice, Italy.
Santi Giovanni e Paolo is a Gothic brick church in Venice's Castello district with substantial dimensions of 96 meters long and 40 meters wide. The interior features a three-aisle layout with tall pointed arches, brick columns, and decorative marble details at its entrances.
Construction started in 1333 after a Venetian doge donated the land, and the church was consecrated in 1430. The lengthy building process involved financial obstacles and design modifications that shaped the structure we see today.
The church serves as a memorial space where Venetians honoured their leaders and notable figures through monuments and burial sites. Walking through, you notice how the interior transforms into a gallery of remembrance with plaques and sculptures marking important lives.
The church is located in a busy part of Castello and is easily accessible on foot, though opening hours vary by season. Visit earlier in the day when it tends to be less crowded so you can move through the interior at your own pace.
The interior holds important artworks, including a polyptych panel by Giovanni Bellini depicting Saint Vincent Ferrer. The crypt beneath the floor contains the remains of several notable Venetian artists, making it a burial place for creative minds.
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