Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Formosa

Church in Venice

Santa Maria Formosa Facciata E Campanile
CC BY-SA 4.0 / Didier Descouens

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!

Visiting Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Formosa

Hours:

10.30am-4.30pm


Price:

adult/reduced €3/1.50, with Chorus Pass free

Address: Chiesa Parrocchiale di Santa Maria Formosa, Calle Seconda de la Fava, Venice, Metropolitan City of Venice, Italy
Duration: 20 minutes

Nearby Attractions