The restoration of one of Venice’s most well known landmarks, Santa Maria della Salute is complete. The work on the dome which has been completed.
Baldassarre Longhena the Venetian architect built, the Church of Santa Maria della Salute (1631/32–1687) at the entrance to the Grand Canal in Venice. It was commissioned by the La Serenissima (the Venetian Republic) in thanksgiving to God for deliverance from the plague of 1630. Longhena’s unique design called for an octagonal church with a huge dome; sculptured figures standing on spirals act as its buttresses. The main dome of the basilica of Santa Maria della Salute was built in the middle of the XVIIth. The timber construction had deteriorated seriously by the mid-XIX Century and it was completely rebuilt between 1868 and 1883.
Work on the dome has been unway for a little more than a year to once again make the needed repairs. While the work was ongoing, the chiesa decided to make the walkway around the dome which had been added as scaffolding permanent. And best of all to allow visitors to climb to this walkway and get an breathtaking view of Piazza San Marco, the Grand Canal, Giudecca and the lagoon.
The tours (at this point) will occur during the opening hours of the basilica and on the half hour, giving you plenty of time to walk around and snap your photos. This will be very popular as it just opened in Jun 22.
Currently the dome is 8 Euro and while entrance to the basilica is free. Entrance to the sacristy is 4 Euro. (Prices are subject to change.)
- Church opening hours:
- Monday-Saturday: 9.30-12.00 and 15.00-17.30 Sunday: 9.30-12.00 and 15.00-17.30.
- Opening hours of the sacristy for the visit:
- Monday-Saturday: 10.00-12.00 and 15.00-17.00; Sunday: 15.00 -17.00.