Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Pantalon — Attraction in Venice

The building stands in the upper part of the historic center and was built on the ruins of a pagan temple from the Roman era, perhaps dedicated to Hercules. Originally dedicated to the Conversion of St. Paul, it was the only parish in Olbia until 1954, when the ancient basilica of San Simplicio, formerly a cathedral and outside the walls, was reopened.

The proximity of the church to the site where the judicial castle once stood (current building of the former Guardia di Finanza, in Corso Umberto), the remains of which were still visible in the early nineteenth century, lead us to believe it was the palatine chapel of the sovereigns of Gallura and their burial place.

The church probably dates back to the late Middle Ages, having already been mentioned in documents from the 15th century, but it was heavily restructured and modified in the mid-18th century, adapted, as in other cases, to the predominant Baroque taste.

In 1939, the building, rectangular in shape with three chapels on each side, was enlarged with a Latin cross plan, dome (subsequently majolica) and transversal nave. Unfortunately it was decided to demolish the adjoining and ancient oratory of the confraternity of the Holy Cross, which, however, will be redone in the nineties.

The baroque interior was frescoed in the sixties by the painter Alberto Sanna (1929-2010): Resurrection and musician angels in the apse, the Via Crucis on the side walls, the illustration of the Sacraments in the intrados of the dome.

Very interesting are: the high altar and the polychrome marble balustrade, the wooden choir and pulpit of the Venetian school, the seventeenth-century silver sandals and the coronet of the Madonna Assunta, the Sicilian Baroque monstrance, the eighteenth-century statues of St. Paul, St. Francis and the Virgin. The bell tower, the sober facade and the entire external part are in Gallura granite.

Two crypts with the remains of the members of eighteen local families have recently been found in the basement of the church. Indeed, as the historian Dionigi Panedda (1916-1989) and, still today, the architect Giovanni Fara speculated[7], new research could lead to the discovery of more ancient tombs, especially from the...

Near the lively Campo Santa Margherita there is a somewhat anonymous-looking church, since it has an incomplete facade: the Church of San Pantalon. This church, however, hides an incredible surprise inside… masterpiece. On the ceiling is the largest painting on canvas in the world, which depicts the Martyrdom and glory of San Pantalon, the work of Giovanni Antonio Fumiani. With its 443 square meters, it includes a total of forty scenes depicting the martyrdom and apotheosis of the doctor San Pantaleone. Giovanni Antonio Fumiani took more than 20 years to create this colossal and magic masterpiece, from 1680 to 1704 and a legend tells that the painter died falling from the scaffolding while he was putting the finishing touches ...The real Italian name is San Pantaleone, or also called San Pantaleo, who was a Christian doctor who suffered martyrdom during the fury and abuse of Diocletian, around 304 - 305. San Pantaleone is the patron saint of doctors and midwives, adored and loved in many Christian churches, also for having practiced the profession of doctor without asking for remuneration. Other notable works include Coronation of the Virgin by Antonio Vivarini and Giovanni d'Alemagna in the Chapel of the Holy Nail and St Pantalon healing a Boy, the last work by Veronese, originally commissioned for...

This place feels more like a church than a museum—a truly peaceful and spiritual experience. It’s free to visit, and when we went, there weren’t many people, making it a quiet and great spot to rest after walking around Venice. We also had the chance to pray, which made the visit even more meaningful.

The ceiling paintings are absolutely stunning, and we appreciated the priest’s tip to stand in the left corner near the entrance for the best view and photo. Our only regret is finding this place late—after just 15 minutes, the priest kindly asked us to leave as the church closes at 12 PM. So, be sure to plan ahead and include this gem in...