In Venice’s Castello district, the Gothic Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo, known locally as San Zanipolo, is a major church and burial place of Venetian doges. Its broad brick façade, rose window and pointed arches face Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Inside, look for the doges’ tombs, carved funerary monuments and paintings by Venetian artists including Veronese and Bellini. Admission is €3.50 and includes access to an audio guide by QR code. Allow time for the chapels and smaller rooms as well as the main church.
A Dominican church in Castello
The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo is also called San Zanipolo in Venetian. The Dominican order began work on the church in the 13th century, and construction continued into the 15th. It was consecrated in 1430. The immense Gothic building is among Venice’s largest churches and is often compared with the Frari, another great Gothic church in the city.
The basilica’s red-brick exterior is set off by pale stone details. Its façade has a rose window and a richly worked entrance; columns from the ancient settlement on Torcello were incorporated into the late-Gothic portal. The church stands on Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, alongside the former Scuola Grande di San Marco, now part of the city hospital. The equestrian statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni also stands in the square.
The doges’ tombs
San Zanipolo became closely associated with the rulers of the Venetian Republic. From the 15th century, doges’ funeral services were held here, and the church contains the tombs of 25 doges, along with monuments to other prominent Venetians. The scale and variety of the funerary works are part of what gives the basilica its reputation as Venice’s pantheon.
Take time to look at the different forms of the memorials. Carved figures, paintings, reliefs and altars give the tombs their individual character. The church also contains numerous headstones, so the burial history is present beyond the grand monuments.
Art and chapels inside
The spacious interior holds paintings by Venetian artists, including Veronese and Bellini, as well as carved monuments and decorated chapels. The Chapel of the Rosary is noted for its ceiling paintings by Veronese. Smaller rooms on the left side are also open to explore, so it is worth looking beyond the central space.
The QR-code audio guide is included with the €3.50 admission. Use it to follow the art and history through the church, stopping when a chapel or monument catches your attention. A measured pace helps you take in the many details across the large interior.
Häufige Fragen
Where is the Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo?
It is on Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo in Venice’s Castello district.
How much is admission?
The supplied information gives an admission price of €3.50, including an audio guide accessed by QR code.
How long should I allow for a visit?
Allow about 30 to 60 minutes to see the church, chapels and smaller rooms.
Which doges are buried in the basilica?
The basilica contains the tombs of 25 doges of Venice, as well as monuments to other notable people.
