Church of Saint Sebastian — Attraction in Venice

In a quiet part of Dorsoduro, Fondamenta San Sebastiano, we enjoyed the beautiful palaces, bridges, churches and traditional shops. And finally in the beautiful atmosphere of this part of Venice. During a walk along Calle Avogaria we saw the facade of the beautiful church of Chiesa di San Sebastiano. Its rich history is fascinating.The Chiesa di San Sebastiano (Church of Saint Sebastian) is a 16th-century Roman Catholic church and is also a member of the Chorus Association of Venetian churches. The architectural style of the church is Renaissance. San Sebastiano is located on the site of a former hospice which was founded by the confraternity of Gerolimine fathers in 1393. Close to the hospice was an Oratory, built in 1396, and dedicated to Santa Maria Full of Grace and Justice. This was later expanded, and in 1468 was converted into a church dedicated to Saint Sebastian the martyr who was one of the chief patrons against plague and pestilence in Europe.The church is therefore regarded as one of the great Plague-Churches of Venice, built to temper divine punishment, as the plague was viewed in the Middle Ages. Starting in 1506, a number of alterations, including restructuring and enlargement overseen by the architect Antonio Abbondi (known as Scarpagnino), gave the church its current appearance. The expansion was completed in 1548, and the church was finally consecrated in 1562. San Sebastiano has a plain façade containing, on the pediment's apex, the figure of St. Sebastian wounded by arrows. Close to the door are small figures of St. Sebastian and St. Jerome, the two saints most closely associated with the church. The church houses a cycle of paintings by the artist Veronese, as well as paintings by Tintoretto and Titian. Its contents make the church of San Sebastiano one of the centres of Venetian art, conserving an extraordinary body of works by Paolo Caliari, better known as Veronese. As mentioned, what counts here is not so much the architecture, but rather Veronese's series of paintings, undoubtedly the most important collection of paintings that he completed in his entire life. The artist was commissioned by Veronese Prior of the order, Brother Bernardo Torlioni, who also devised the iconographycal scheme for the whole series, which was intended to represent the victory of faith over heresy. Veronese's work in the church can be divided into three periods between 1555 and 1570. This included paintings, ceiling canvases and frescoes on the nave and altar walls. Veronese also decorated parts of the sacristy and choir, as well as completing the organ decorations and a large altar piece. Some of the incredibly beautiful and significant works are, “The Presentation of Jesus in the Temple,” “The Washing of Sacrificial Animals in the Temple,” and “The Nativity.” Veronese also painted "Virgin Assumed with Saints", "Madonna in Glory with St Sebastian and other...

We visited San Sebastiano while making our way through Venice, and it turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip. This hidden gem is an absolute must for anyone interested in Renaissance art. The church is a masterpiece in itself, with an extraordinary collection of Veronese’s paintings covering the walls and ceiling. Seeing his work in its original setting, rather than in a museum, makes it all the more special.

The ongoing restoration work has been done with great care, and the detailed information panels throughout the church provide fascinating insights into both the history of the building and Veronese’s artistic process. The serene atmosphere, away from the tourist crowds, allows you to fully appreciate the artistry and craftsmanship.

If you’re in Venice and love art, don’t miss San Sebastiano—it’s a quiet but stunning stop that brings Renaissance...

The church has a beautiful and vibrant interior, and the surroundings are very picturesque, with charming twisting canals and quaint bridges.

The entrance fee is €3.50 (as of early 2025), or you can purchase a Chorus Pass for €14, which grants access to all 18 churches in the circuit.

Inside, you'll be captivated by the floor-to-ceiling frescoes by Paolo Veronese, created over more than 30 years. Veronese fled Verona in 1555, seeking refuge here after being accused of killing a romantic rival. From that point on, he dedicated the rest of his life to decorating this church, until his death in 1588. True to his wishes, he was buried here, beneath his masterpieces. You'll find his memorial bust to the right...