Santa Sofia, Venice, Romanesque church in Cannaregio, Venice, Italy
Santa Sofia is a Romanesque church in Cannaregio built with four tall rows of columns flanking each side of the central nave. The interior has pale walls and creates a vertical spatial effect through its slender arches.
The church was founded in 1020 and went through several rebuilding phases, including major work by architect Antonio Gaspari in the late 17th century. Temporarily used as a warehouse during the Napoleonic era, it returned to Catholic services in 1836.
The church is named after divine wisdom and displays Romanesque features that stand out in Venice's architectural landscape. You notice the simple proportions and how light enters through the tall windows.
The entrance is partly hidden behind residential buildings built during the Strada Nuova development in 1871. Check opening times beforehand since access can be limited or the church may occasionally be closed to visitors.
Five statues of saints from the former Scuola dei Barbieri altar at Santa Maria dei Servi were relocated here. These sculptures are silent witnesses to the movement of Venetian artworks between different parts of the city.
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