Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute

The Plague Guardian

Baroque votive church with a unique octagonal design.


While entry to the church is free, optional paid visits include viewing art in the Sacristy or the city from La Cupola.

Official ticket website


What makes it special

Votive church

Venice's devastating plague from 1630-31 led to a vow: a Baroque church would be erected to honor Our Lady of Health.

Colossal dome

The church's unique octagonal design - unlike anything else in Venice - is crowned by a colossal dome, symbolizing the Virgin's crown. At its peak, a lantern holds a statue of the Virgin Mary, her hand raised in blessing over the city.

La Cupola

From the small balcony at the base of the dome, take in breathtaking, sweeping views of Venice and Grand Canal below.

More than 100 Statues

Inside and out, but especially along the exuberant facade, over a hundred statues of saints and angels stand watch over Venice.

The Sacristy

While the interior may feel austere, the spacious sacristy adds warmth and richness, featuring numerous artworks - including 12 by Titian.

A Tintoretto masterpiece

Also housed here is Tintoretto's monumental 'Wedding Feast at Cana' (1561) depicting a vibrant scene of a Venetian banquet and even a veiled self-portrait of the artist himself.

La Salute : But step inside, and you’ll find a surprisingly restrained interior — yet still impressive

Discover more about La Salute through 22 photos with explanations.

Open gallery

What to expect here

  • Observe exquisite details in more statues than your patience can count.
  • Visit at noon, when sunlight through the dome's sixteen pale glass windows highlights the polychrome mosaic floors.
  • After being wowed by the vast interior, don't miss the exquisite artworks tucked away in the Sacristy.
  • Climb to the small balcony at the base of the dome for sweeping views across Venice.
  • Then stroll over to the nearby Punta della Dogana for views over the San Marco basin, this time from water level.

Admire the art in the Sacristy

La Salute : Yet, the standout is undoubtedly Tintoretto’s monumental 'Wedding Feast at Cana' (to the left) originally painted for the dining hall of the Crociferi convent

Head behind the main altar to the Sacristy to see vibrant works by Titian, Tintoretto, and others.

Admission is €6, and tickets are also available online.

Good to know: entry is free if you have a ticket for St. Mark's Basilica, so plan your visit accordingly.


See Venice from high above

La Salute : To the west, Grand Canal its winding journey through the heart of Venice

Reach the small balcony at the base of the dome for sweeping views across Venice.

The climb, 150 narrow steps with no elevator, is a bit of an adventure, but well worth the effort.

This experience is not recommended for those with heart conditions, claustrophobia, vertigo, or during pregnancy.

Visits are guided, start every 30 minutes, and allow about 20 minutes on the balcony.

Admission is €8 (cash or card), with the option to book your timeslot online at no extra cost.

Book your balcony ticket online

Connect the dots

Venice's votive churches

You can find four other votive churches in Venice, all built in gratitude for surviving the plague - but only one holds the relics of the city's legendary protector against it.

At San Rocco, Saint Roch himself lies enshrined above the high altar, surrounded by Tintoretto's powerful scenes from the saint's life and miracles.

San Rocco : The high altar is surrounded with works by Tintoretto depicting the life of Saint Roch, whose casket and statue are above the altar

Following Titian

You've already seen The Sacrifice of Isaac, Cain and Abel, plus David and Goliath on the Sacristy ceiling: muscular, dramatically foreshortened figures full of movement and emotion. These works reflect the powerful influence of Michelangelo, whom Titian deeply admired.

Though Titian's masterpieces are scattered across iconic Venetian landmarks like the Doge's Palace and Basilica dei Frari, since you're already nearby, don't miss the Accademia Galleries.

It features more of his work, including the grand 'Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple', still displayed in situ in the Sala dell'Albergo of the museum.

Accademia Galleries : Titian’s 'Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple' still adorns the Sala dell’Albergo — a reminder that the museum itself is housed in a former Scuola Grande.

More from the same architect

One of the leading architects of his time, Baldassare Longhena also designed two splendid palaces: Ca' Rezzonico and Ca' Pesaro - both open to visitors who wish to marvel at their remarkable interiors.

These are part of the Civic Museums of Venice, a network of culturally significant sites across the city - including the Doge's Palace - all conveniently accessible with the Museum Pass.


Take the Traghetto

You don't have to backtrack all the way to Accademia Bridge to reach Piazza San Marco - just take this budget-friendly gondola service instead.

At just €2, it's the cheapest gondola ride available.

Though short, it's a scenic experience aboard a larger gondola rowed by two oarsmen.

Traghetto : Crossing Grand Canal is tricky with all the boat traffic — you need to be quick

What to see nearby

These top spots are just a short walk from La Salute:


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