Santa Maria della Salute, Minor basilica in Dorsoduro, Venice, Italy.
Santa Maria della Salute is a basilica in Dorsoduro, at the entrance to the Grand Canal in Venice. The octagonal plan carries two domes that rest on marble figures and are visible from far across the water.
The Venetian Senate decided on construction in 1631 after the plague ended, which had killed a third of the population. Work continued until 1687 and followed the design of Baldassare Longhena.
The name refers to health and thanksgiving, a memory of deliverance from plague. Each November, Venetians cross a pontoon bridge to the church to light candles and take part in this feast.
The church opens daily from 9 AM to noon and from 3 PM to 5:30 PM. You can reach it on water bus lines 1 and 2, which stop at Salute.
Over a million wooden piles support the foundation under the water. They were driven into the lagoon bed to carry the weight of the two domes and the marble.
Location: Venice
Inception: 17 century
Architects: Baldassarre Longhena
Architectural style: baroque architecture
Length: 70 m
Width: 47 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair inaccessible
Made from material: Istrian stone
Address: Dorsoduro, 1, 30123 Venezia VE, Italy
Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 15:00-17:30
Website: https://basilicasalutevenezia.it
GPS coordinates: 45.43057,12.33473
Latest update: December 5, 2025 16:35
Venice offers many opportunities for photos. The city sits on over one hundred small islands connected by canals and bridges. The Grand Canal curves through the historic center, lined with palaces from different centuries. The Rialto Bridge spans the canal at its narrowest point and has served as a major crossing since the 16th century. St. Mark's Square forms the center of the city, with St. Mark's Basilica, the campanile, and Doge's Palace. The Bridge of Sighs connects the palace to the former prison cells. On the surrounding islands, you can find other landmarks: Burano displays brightly painted houses, Murano is known for its glass workshops, and Torcello preserves Byzantine mosaics from the early Middle Ages. The Cannaregio district in the north houses the Jewish Museum and quieter canals away from the main routes. The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute stands at the entrance to the Grand Canal and shapes the city's skyline.
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