San Giorgio Maggiore, Island and Italian heritage site in Venice, Italy.
San Giorgio Maggiore is an island and heritage site in Venice, featuring a 16th-century church with a 75-meter (246 feet) bell tower. The monastery buildings surround a cloister, and the whole complex sits across the water from Saint Mark's Square.
In 982, Doge Tribuno Memmo gave the island to a Benedictine monk who founded a monastery. This monastery grew into a major center of learning and art for the region.
The church holds two major paintings by Tintoretto: The Last Supper and The Gathering of Manna, displayed where the artist originally placed them. These works show how the place has long served as a space for important art.
The island is reached by water, and climbing the bell tower offers views but requires some physical effort. Plan your visit around the posted opening hours, which vary by season and day.
The island has a garden maze known as the Borges Labyrinth, visible from both ground level and the bell tower. The design connects literature with spatial experience in an uncommon way.
Location: Venice
Elevation above the sea: 1 m
GPS coordinates: 45.42775,12.34417
Latest update: December 6, 2025 16:01
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.
Venice is naturally suited for romantic getaways, with its winding canals, historic palaces, and squares full of history. This selection gathers places that make the city so popular among couples: Saint Mark's Square with its basilica and campanile, the Bridge of Sighs where tradition invites you to kiss in a gondola, or the quays of Fondamenta delle Zattere stretching along the Giudecca Canal. The Grand Canal, the main artery measuring 3.8 kilometers long, reveals 170 palaces built between the 13th and 18th centuries. This collection also includes characterful accommodations set within authentic Venetian residences. The Gritti Palace occupies a 15th-century palace overlooking the Grand Canal, while Ca' Bonfadini features its frescoed salons in the Cannaregio district. To extend your stay, the La Fenice Theatre offers opera performances in a restored 18th-century setting after the 1996 fire. San Giorgio Maggiore island, accessible by vaporetto, allows you to view the city from its campanile with an unobstructed perspective over the urban area.
St Mark's Campanile
806 m
Last Supper
170 m
San Giorgio Monastery
143 m
The Jews in the Desert
170 m
St. Mark the Evangelist
170 m
St John the Evangelist
170 m
Institute for the History of the Venetian State and Society
143 m
Saint Augustine
170 m
Thomas the Apostle
170 m
St Luke the Evangelist
170 m
Teatro Verde
92 m
Portrait of Pius VII
170 m
Saint Peter
170 m
The Risen Christ with Saint Andrew and donors
170 m
Abbey of San Giorgio Maggiore
170 m
Crowned Madonna between Benedictine Saints
170 m
Madonna with Baby and saints
170 m
The Adoration of the Shepherds
170 m
Entombment
170 m
Palladian cloister
143 m
Saint George and the dragon
170 m
Presentation of Jesus in the Temple
170 m
Library of Longhena
143 m
Saint Paul
170 m
Longhena staircase
143 m
Cypress Cloister
143 m
Saint Andrew
170 m
Funeral monument of the doge Sebastiano Ziani
170 mReviews
Visited this place? Tap the stars to rate it and share your experience / photos with the community! Try now! You can cancel it anytime.
Discover hidden gems everywhere you go!
From secret cafés to breathtaking viewpoints, skip the crowded tourist spots and find places that match your style. Our app makes it easy with voice search, smart filtering, route optimization, and insider tips from travelers worldwide. Download now for the complete mobile experience.
A unique approach to discovering new places❞
— Le Figaro
All the places worth exploring❞
— France Info
A tailor-made excursion in just a few clicks❞
— 20 Minutes