Located in the heart of Venice, near the Cannaregio district, Madonna dell’Orto Church is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city of Venice. It was created in 1350 under the commission of the congregation of the Umiliati. It’s nowadays a very interesting religious building, filled with works of art by the great Jacopo Tintoretto.
Let’s find out something more about Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto in Venice and why you should visit it!
The History of Madonna dell’Orto Church
As previously mentioned, the Madonna dell’Orto Church was built under the commission of the “Humiliati”, a religious order that was at the time directed by Tiberio da Parma, who is now buried in the Church.
It was at first built in honor of the patron of the travelers, St. Christopher, but it then got its name and apparent consecration to the Madonna when a statue of the Holy Virgin was brought and installed into the Church after being rejected from the Church that had originally commissioned it.
The Church had to undergo some restoration work because it was built on weak foundations in 1399 and, a little after that, the Humiliati were expelled from the Church, which was later on given to the religious order of San Giorgio in Alga.
A Remarkable Façade: Design and Details
The façade of the Madonna dell’Orto Church was made of brickwork and it’s divided into three parts, like its interior. The two external sides present mullioned windows and the central one has a big rose window. There’s also a porch made with Corinthian columns that surround the entrance of the Church. The whole façade is ornate with bas-reliefs and statues of the Apostles.
Tintoretto’s legacy: art adorning Madonna dell’Orto Church
As mentioned before, the interior of the Church is divided into three parts: a nave and two aisles with marble columns. Over the entrance of Madonna dell’Orto Church, you can find a beautiful Organ, considered to be the strongest one in the whole city of Venice.
The Church is decorated with beautiful paintings made by Jacopo Tintoretto, who is also buried in this Church. Here’s a list of some of the paintings made by Tintoretto that you can find in this Church:
- Presentation Of Virgin At Temple;
- The Last Judgement;
- St. Peter’s Vision of the Cross;
- Idolatry of Golden Calf;
- Cardinal Virtues: Justice and Temperance;
- Prudence and Strenght;
- The beheading of St. Paul;
- God the Father in Glory;
- Miracle of St. Agnes;
Conclusion
If you are visiting Venice, you definitely shouldn’t miss out on visiting the Madonna dell’Orto Church. Get to know more about the magnificent city of Venice and Italy in general by checking out our other blogs and book a private tour with us for the best experience!
