Sestiere San Polo
Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Imposing Gothic church housing art treasures and monumental mausoleums.
S. Tomà (4-min walk)
www.basilicadeifrari.it
+39 041 272 8630
Standard admission is €5.
Additional resources
What makes it special
A Gothic Giant
It absolutely dominates the skyline west of Canal Grande. Step inside, and you’ll instantly feel the sheer magnitude of the place.
Final resting place
The church is the final resting place of several Doges and renowned artists from different eras, including the painter Titian and the sculptor Antonio Canova.
Monumental mausoleums
Antonio Canova’s striking pyramidal tomb, rich with symbolic detail, quietly commands attention. Nearby, Doge Giovanni Pesaro’s haunting Baroque monument leaves a lasting impression: its four towering moors supporting allegorical figures create a spectacle that feels both powerful and unsettling.
No less than 17 altars
The monumental altars are adorned with masterpieces like Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin and Bellini’s Frari Triptych.
The monks' choir
At the heart of the church stands the imposing dark-wood structure of the monks' choir, a distinctive element found nowhere else in Venice. The intricate carvings on its 124 choir stalls portray scenes of an 'ideal city' as envisioned during the Renaissance.
Your experience here
- Immerse yourself in this expansive, spiritually uplifting space, filled with art.
- It's such a welcome escape from the claustrophobia of crowded streets and narrow alleys.
- Even if art isn’t your thing, it’s hard not to stop in front of the largest altarpiece in Venice: Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin draws you in with its sheer scale and endless detail.
Symbolism in Canova’s tomb
The funeral monument was originally envisioned by Canova as the tomb for the Renaissance painter Titian, who is buried in the church.
However, after Canova’s death in 1822, his pupils took up the project and completed it to hold the heart of their master.
They adorned the pyramidal structure with sculptures of mythological creatures, each rich in symbolism.
Immortality is hinted at by the half-naked figure clutching a lit torch that follows Death, while an angel with outstretched wings stands as its guardian.
Two women bear a wreath of flowers, symbols of hope; two boys carry lit torches, reminding us that renewed faith remains forever young.
Nearby, the sleeping winged lion watches silently, embodying power, wisdom, and justice.
The bigger brother
Cross Canal Grande to discover an even more colossal Gothic masterpiece towering over Venice’s rooftops: Santi Giovanni e Paolo (San Zanipolo).
Like Frari, its vast interior is filled with remarkable art and monumental mausoleums, all wrapped in a peaceful, serene atmosphere.
You’ll find fewer crowds here and a chance to admire unique Gothic Murano stained-glass windows.
Titian's lengthy career
Widely regarded as the greatest Renaissance Venetian painter, Tiziano Vecellio continued creating art until he passed away at nearly 100 years old.
While Titian’s masterpieces grace several iconic Venetian landmarks — including the Palazzo Ducale — few places showcase his style and mastery as intimately as the Sacristy of Santa Maria della Salute.
Alongside one of his early works — St. Mark Enthroned, already hinting at the mastery that would define his career — the ceiling hosts a powerful trio: The Sacrifice of Isaac, Cain and Abel, and David and Goliath.
The figures are muscular and dramatically foreshortened, with a focus on the human form, dynamic movement, and emotional depth — all reflecting the strong influence of Michelangelo, whom Titian deeply admired.
What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from Basilica dei Frari:
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Da Vinci Interactive Museum
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Chiesa di San Rocco
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Scuola di San Rocco
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Venice Vintage Toys
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Casa di Carlo Goldoni
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Canal Grande
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