San Barnaba, Venice, Former church in Dorsoduro district, Venice, Italy
San Barnaba is a former church in Venice's Dorsoduro district featuring neoclassical design with a distinctive facade and a separate bell tower crowned by a pine-cone shaped spire. The complex sits within Campo San Barnaba, a square surrounded by cafes and traditional mask workshops that characterize the area.
The original structure dates to the ninth century but was destroyed by fire in 1105 and reconstructed in 1350. The building received its final neoclassical form through a comprehensive renovation by Lorenzo Boschetti in 1776.
The deconsecrated building now serves as an exhibition space that contributes to the thriving art scene in Dorsoduro. Visitors can experience how a former place of worship has been given new cultural life while retaining its architectural character.
The building stands in the center of Campo San Barnaba, a busy square that makes it easy to locate and navigate within the district. The plaza offers several seating areas and cafes, making it a good reference point for exploring the wider neighborhood.
The facade served as the exterior of a fictional library in a major 1989 adventure film and remains recognizable to cinema enthusiasts. This hidden film connection often goes unnoticed by visitors exploring the square.
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