Santa Maria Formosa, formally The Church of the Purification of Mary, is a church in Venice, northern Italy. It was erected in 1492 under the design by Renaissance architect Mauro Codussi. It lies on the site of a previous church dating from the 7th century, which, according to tradition, was one of the eight founded by San Magno, bishop of Oderzo. The name “formosa” relates to an alleged appearance of the Holy Virgin disguised as a voluptuous woman.

The plan is on the Latin cross, with a nave and two aisles. The two façades were commissioned in 1542, the Renaissance-style one facing the canal, and 1604, the Baroque one facing the nearby square. The dome of the church was rebuilt in after falling during an earthquake in 1688.

The artworks in the interior include the St. Barbara polyptych by Palma the Elder, one of his most celebrated works. The Conception Chapel houses a triptych of Madonna of Misericordia by Bartolomeo Vivarini (1473), while in the Oratory is the Madonna with Child and St. Dominic by Giambattista Tiepolo (18th century). There is also a Last Supper by Leandro Bassano.

The Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Formosa appears in our Complete Guide to Visiting Venice!

This website uses affiliate links which may earn a commission at no additional cost to you!

Nearby Attractions

• Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo (0.3) km
  Church in Venice
• Piazzetta dei Leoncini (0.3) km
  Square in Venice
• Basilica di San Marco (0.3) km
  Basilica in Venice
• Torre dell'Orologio (0.3) km
  Tower in Venice
• Bridge of Sighs (0.3) km
  Bridge in Venice
• Caffè Lavena (0.3) km
  Café in Venice
• Casa di Marco Polo, Venice (0.4) km
  Historic Building in Venice
• St Mark's Campanile (0.4) km
  Tower in Venice
• Palazzo Ducale (0.4) km
  Palace in Venice
• Piazza San Marco (0.4) km
  Square in Venice