Le Zitelle, Renaissance church on Giudecca island, Venice, Italy
Le Zitelle is a Renaissance church on the island of Giudecca with a prominent dome topped by a lantern and flanked by two bell towers. The facade is divided into two distinct architectural orders that display typical Renaissance proportions.
Construction started in 1581 and was completed in 1588, with architectural elements attributed to Andrea Palladio though documentation remains unclear. The church emerged during a period when Venice was reshaping its role as a cultural center.
The church was established to provide shelter for young women without dowries who faced social exclusion in Renaissance Venice. It reflects how religious communities at that time protected vulnerable people and offered them a place in society.
The church can be reached via the Zitelle boat stop on Giudecca. It is worth checking opening times in advance and planning your visit accordingly.
The religious complex forms a horseshoe shape around the church with a central courtyard that connects the main chapel to areas of the former hospice. This layout demonstrates how worship spaces and residential areas were integrated into a single functioning community.
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