Church of San Pantalon

The Church of San Pantalon, located in the Dorsoduro district of Venice, is a true hidden gem, famous for its extraordinary ceiling and fascinating history. Dedicated to San Pantaleone, a Christian martyr and doctor who lived between the 3rd and 4th centuries, the church overlooks the homonymous square and features an unfinished facade that, although simple, hides inside one of the most surprising artistic wonders of the city. The church has ancient origins, dating back to at least 1161, when it is mentioned for the first time in a document by Pope Alexander III. The current appearance of the building is the result of a Baroque reconstruction carried out between 1668 and 1686 by the architect Francesco Comin. During these works, the longitudinal axis of the nave was rotated by 90 degrees, positioning the main facade towards the square, while the facade itself remained unfinished, exposing the brick structure. The ceiling of the Church of San Pantalon is its hidden treasure and probably its most famous feature. Created between 1680 and 1704 by the painter Giovanni Antonio Fumiani, the ceiling is not a fresco, but a vast canvas composed of 44 pieces joined together, covering an area of 443 square meters. This painting, known as “The Martyrdom and Glory of San Pantaleone,” is the largest canvas painting in the world and depicts the main scenes of the saint’s life, culminating in his apotheosis. Fumiani’s ability to create optical illusions makes the ceiling appear as a continuous fresco, integrating perfectly with the church’s architecture and offering visitors a breathtaking visual experience. The church houses other valuable works of art. Among these, the last work of Paolo Veronese stands out, “San Pantalon Healing a Child,” painted in 1587 shortly before his death. Another notable work is the Coronation of the Virgin, created by Antonio Vivarini and Giovanni d’Alemagna in 1444, located in the Chapel of the Holy Nail. In this chapel, there is also a high relief of the Deposition of Christ in the tomb, attributed to the Master of San Pantalon, an unknown Venetian artist from the 14th century. An interesting anecdote concerns the golden wooden crucifix above the main altar. Dating between 1335 and 1345, this crucifix was looted during World War II and ended up in the hands of the Nazi leader Hermann Goering. After various changes of ownership, it was found in 2012 at an auction house in Cologne and subsequently returned to the church thanks to the intervention of the Carabinieri for the Protection of Cultural Heritage. The Church of San Pantalon is also famous for a curious replica of the Holy House of Loreto, built in 1744. This small sanctuary, decorated with frescoes by Pietro Longhi, contains a wooden sculpture of the Madonna of Loreto, further enriching the church’s artistic heritage. The organ located above the entrance door, built by Gaetano Callido in 1803, is another precious piece of the church, renowned for its sound quality and craftsmanship.