The only city in the world built on water, Venice enchants its guests with colorful architectural masterpieces. Here, every building and structure is a living history. According to statistics, in terms of the number of residents in the city, more temples were built than in any other European corner. This is not surprising, because the Venetians are very pious people. From time immemorial, the erected basilicas were the quintessence of the wealth and power of the Venetian Republic. In the Dorsoduro area, where the waters of the San Marco basin flow into the mouth of the Grand Canal, rises a magnificent domed shrine – the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute. The Basilica is considered one of the main religious symbols of Venice. The temple was built in the best traditions of the Venetian-Baroque style and is dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
The history of the construction of the cathedral
In the XVII century, the population of Venice was subjected to the invasion of the plague. The medicine of medieval Europe had not yet known the nature of the microbial bacillus that caused this disease, so the Venetians assumed that the poisoned air was to blame. The main measures of protection against the plague were quarantine camps for ships anchored in the lagoon, as well as masks with long noses. Such methods of protection against infection were purely psychological in nature and did not bring any effect. The terrible pandemic claimed more than 100,000 human lives.
Many believed that the nightmarish infection was a heavenly punishment sent to punish the Venetians for human sins. According to legend, the government of the Venetian Republic, out of hopelessness and despair, made a vow to the Blessed Virgin Mary. It was promised that if she helped save Venice from a terrible disease, then a majestic cathedral would be erected in her honor. As a result, a miracle happened – the plague receded. The time has come for the highest nobility to fulfill their obligations to the heavenly powers.
The Great Council, headed by Doge Nicolo Contarini, held a competition for the best project for the future temple. An outstanding architect of that time, Baldassare Longen, was chosen as the author of the masterpiece. The young architect enthusiastically set about building an extraordinary church. He was given the task of building a shrine large enough so that members of privileged communities, wealthy merchants and ordinary Venetians could bow and pray. The main idea of the architect was that the temple was crowned with a huge dome. Thus, it was supposed to show how the Virgin Mary protects Venice from the plague with this hemisphere.
The main problem for the builders was the limited area where the construction of the church was planned. According to the plan of the architect, the foundation of the shrine should be in the form of an octagon in order to accommodate the largest number of parishioners. Weak ground required additional reinforcement. More than a million wooden piles were installed to strengthen the subsiding soil. Limestone and bricks covered with marble chips were the main masonry material for the construction of the temple. The construction of the church lasted for half a century. The architect Longen did not live to see the official consecration of the basilica. The construction was finally completed at the end of 1681.
Architecture and interior decoration of the cathedral
Santa Maria della Salute impresses with its imposing size and exquisite baroque architecture. The basilica is separated from the water of the Grand Canal by marble steps of a low staircase. The design of the temple is rather unusual for the traditional architecture of religious Venice. The octagonal building is crowned with a huge copper dome 60 meters high, which rests on large pillars surrounded by six chapels. From a distance, the building looks very grandiose. During the day, under the rays of the sun, the marble shines, and at night, the walls reflect the waters of the canal. On the south side of the church, an extension was made, forming an apse, in which the main altar is located. It is crowned with a dome only of a smaller size. Behind the building rise two bell towers.
Between the ribs of the multifaceted roof there are 15 arched windows, thanks to which the inner volume of the temple is filled with light during the day. The facade of the cathedral is decorated with cornices, buttresses, columns, bas-reliefs and white marble statues. The main entrance to the temple is built in the form of a triumphal arch, bordered by sculptures of the Mother of God, Archangel Michael, John the Baptist, Old Testament kings and prophets.
The spacious and bright interior hall is decorated with arched ceilings supported by pilasters. Luxurious interior decoration impresses with its grandeur and beauty. The floor is covered with marble tiles that form intricate concentric circles. The main concept of the sanctuary is the rich decoration of the chapels with artistic panels depicting religious subjects, sculptures and columns with bas-reliefs on the platform.
The main religious composition of the cathedral is located in the main altar. The icon “Madonna della Salute” is installed here, taken from the island of Crete in 1670 during the war between the Venetian Republic and Turkey. The image is enclosed in a marble frame. Above the icon are small statues that create an allegorical storyline. Venice is symbolized by a young girl who calls for help from the Madonna with a child in her arms. To their right, you can see an elderly woman in rags, personifying the plague, who is headlong running away from the little angel. This sculptural composition was created by the famous master Giusto Lecourt in 1674.
The basilica delights with the abundance of works by the great Venetian painter Vecellio Titian. His amazing paintings on biblical themes adorn the vault of a huge sacristy. These are such paintings as: “Cain and Abel”, “David and Goliath”, “The Sacrifice of Abraham”. Of particular note is one of his earliest masterpieces, written in 1510 – “Saint Mark Enthroned”. The artist skillfully depicted the scene of the doctors' prayer addressed to the Apostle Mark for salvation from the plague of Saints Roch and Sebastian, who are the patrons of seriously ill people. The main panel of Titian, which adorns the shrine, is “The Descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles”. The painting is located in the main altar.
The basilica keeps three unique altarpieces by the Neapolitan Luca Giordano: Ascension of the Virgin Mary, Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Entry of the Virgin Mary into the Temple. He created these paintings according to his own fantasies in a rather short time, for which he received the nickname “Luke, who works quickly.” The skillful work of Jacop Tintoretto “Marriage in Cana of Galilee” will certainly attract the attention of visitors to the temple. The canvas describes a wedding feast based on the gospel story. In the background of the picture, Christ is seated at the head of the table, turning water into wine. The artist brings forward images of water carriers that serve guests.
Interesting facts about Santa Maria della Salute in Venice
For more than three centuries, significant events have been taking place in Venice every year on November 21st. On this day, in the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, a solemn service is held in honor of the memory of the miraculous deliverance from the plague epidemic and a mass of thanksgiving to the Virgin Mary for saving her from a deadly pandemic. An amazing sight can be observed near the temple. Gondolas and boats gather in front of the shrine, which should form a passage through the Grand Canal to Piazza San Marco for the procession of pilgrims.
In 2010, a fire broke out in one of the rooms of the cathedral. The fire spread to the main hall. During the rescue activities of firefighters, only one painting was damaged by water – “David and Goliath”. Titian's panel was restored in a short time.
Where is and how to get to Santa Maria della Salute
The Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute rises in the Dorsoduro district. This island of Venice is washed by the waters of the Grand Canal and the lagoon pool. The temple is located opposite the San Marco area. You can get to the cathedral by vaporetto (route number 1). A water bus will take tourists directly to the pier at the foot of the marble stairs leading to the cathedral. It is also possible to walk to the Basilica. To do this, you need to cross the Grand Canal along the Academician Bridge, which connects the islands of San Marco and Dorsoduro. The dome of the Cathedral of Santa Maria della Salute is visible from afar from all over the city.