Basilica of Saints John and Paul

The Basilica of Saints John and Paul, affectionately known by the Venetians as “San Zanipolo,” is one of the most majestic and historically significant churches in Venice, located in the Castello district. Built from the 13th century and completed in 1430, this Gothic basilica not only represents an architectural masterpiece, but is also a symbol of the rich religious and political history of the Serenissima Republic of Venice. The idea of building a church dedicated to Saints John and Paul dates back to Doge Jacopo Tiepolo, who in 1246 donated the land to the Dominicans. With the support of the main noble Venetian families, they began the construction of the building that would become one of the main centers of worship in the city. The basilica was officially consecrated in 1430, soon becoming the preferred place for the funerary ceremonies of the Venetian doges. The facade of the basilica, with its grandeur and austerity, reflects the Venetian Gothic style. The main portal, surmounted by a rose window, leads to a vast and majestic interior. The Latin cross plan, with three naves and numerous side chapels, creates a sense of grandeur and solemnity. The high altar, with its altarpiece dedicated to the titular saints, is one of the focal points of the church. Inside the basilica are numerous valuable works of art. Among the most notable are the altarpieces by Giovanni Bellini and Paolo Veronese, as well as the frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti and the sculptural works by Alessandro Vittoria. The Rosary Chapel, built in 1582 to commemorate the victory of Lepanto, originally contained works by Tintoretto, Palma the Younger, and Titian, but unfortunately many of these were destroyed in a fire in 1867. The basilica is often called the “Pantheon of Venice” for the large number of doges and other important figures of the Republic buried there. Among these, the funerary monuments of Doges Pietro Mocenigo, Andrea Vendramin, and Alvise Mocenigo stand out for their magnificence and the historical importance of the people they commemorate. These monuments, created by artists like Pietro and Tullio Lombardo, are true masterpieces of Venetian Renaissance and offer an important testimony to the power and wealth of their commissioners. An interesting anecdote concerns the figure of Doge Pietro Mocenigo, whose funerary monument, a work by the Lombardos, is innovative both for the architectural tripartition inspired by Roman triumphal arches and for the representation of the doge in an upright and proud position, symbolizing his resurrection and his role as leader of the Republic. During the Napoleonic period, like many other Venetian churches, the basilica suffered looting and damage, but was subsequently restored and continues to be one of the main places of worship in the city. Today, the Basilica of Saints John and Paul is not only a place of prayer, but also a living museum that preserves centuries of Venetian history, art, and culture.