Santa Maria degli Scalzi, Baroque church near Santa Lucia Station, Venice, Italy
Santa Maria degli Scalzi is a Baroque church standing on the east bank of the Grand Canal near Venice's main railway station. Its white stone facade features paired columns and niches adorned with statues carved by Bernardo Falconi, creating an ornate front elevation.
Construction began in 1672 under architects Baldassarre Longhena and Giuseppe Sardi, with funding provided by Gerolamo Cavazza. The project developed gradually across the following decades as one of Venice's most significant Baroque buildings.
The church belonged to a barefoot religious order, and its name reflects the poverty and simplicity these monks practiced. Walking through it today, you can sense how this spiritual focus shaped the space and its decoration choices.
The church sits right next to the Ponte degli Scalzi bridge, making it straightforward to reach while crossing the Grand Canal. Like all religious spaces in Venice, visiting hours may be limited and modest dress is expected when inside.
The tomb of Ludovico Manin, Venice's final doge, lies within one of the interior chapels of this church. This final resting place of the republic's last leader is often overlooked by visitors focused on the decorative elements.
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