Parish Church of San Giovanni

The Church of San Giovanni in Bragora, located in the Castello district in Venice, is a place of extraordinary historical, artistic, and cultural importance. Its origins date back to the 8th century, when it is believed to have been founded by San Magno di Oderzo. The church was rebuilt in the 10th century under Doge Pietro III Candiano to house the alleged relics of San Giovanni Battista and later renovated in 1178 and in the 15th century. The last renovation, between 1475 and 1505, gave the church its current appearance, with a brick facade in late Venetian Gothic style. The facade of the church, simple and divided into three parts corresponding to the aisles, reflects the typical aesthetics of Venetian Gothic, characterized by clean and sober lines. The external simplicity contrasts with the artistic richness of the interior, which houses works by important Venetian Renaissance artists. Among these, the works of Cima da Conegliano, Alvise Vivarini, and Bartolomeo Vivarini stand out, adorning the chapels and altars of the church. One of the most famous works preserved in the church is Cima da Conegliano’s “Baptism of Christ,” dated 1492. This masterpiece of Venetian Renaissance, located in the apse, represents with great realism and delicacy the moment of Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist. Another significant work is “St. Helena and Constantine on the sides of the Cross,” also by Cima da Conegliano, which further enriches the interior of the church. The Church of San Giovanni in Bragora is also famous for being the place where Antonio Vivaldi, the renowned Baroque composer, was baptized in 1678. This connection with Vivaldi adds another level of historical and cultural interest to the site, attracting music enthusiasts from around the world. The chapel dedicated to San Giovanni Elemosinario, built in 1481 to house the saint’s relics, is another element of great interest. The chapel, with its refined decorations, testifies to the devotion and worship of saints in Renaissance Venice. The statues of San Giovanni Elemosinario and San Giovanni Battista, created by Heinrich Meyring and located on the main altar, are excellent examples of Venetian Baroque sculpture. The church’s bell tower has undergone numerous collapses and reconstructions over the centuries. The original 9th-century structure was renovated between 1475 and 1498, then demolished in 1567 due to its precarious conditions. Rebuilt in 1568, the bell tower was again damaged by lightning in 1708 and finally demolished in 1826. The current bell tower is the result of these successive reconstructions.