San Simeone Piccolo, Neoclassical church on Grand Canal, Venice, Italy.
San Simeone Piccolo is a Neoclassical church in Venice facing the Grand Canal, topped with a copper dome that measures about 20 meters across. Strong Corinthian columns frame the entrance and give the building its distinctive look.
A church first stood on this site back in the 9th century, but it was rebuilt from the ground up in the early 1700s by architect Giovanni Antonio Scalfarotto. That rebuild created the Neoclassical structure that stands here today.
The marble reliefs you see in the triangular gable above the entrance depict the story of the two saints the church honors. Sculptor Francesco Cabianca carved these scenes so visitors walking past can recognize the building's religious significance.
The church sits directly across from Venice's main train station, making it one of the first things you see when you arrive by rail. From here, you can easily walk to explore the nearby streets and waterfront.
Below the main floor lies an octagonal crypt holding about 20 small chapels decorated with frescoes. These underground rooms feature religious scenes from the Old and New Testaments and are often overlooked by people just passing by.
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