Sestiere Santa Croce
Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Giacomo dall'Orio
Church of Saint James the Greater
Romanesque church containing a curious depiction of a miracle performed by the Virgin.
S. Tomà or S. Silvestro (6-min walk)
chorusvenezia.org
Additional resources
What makes it special
Deceptively innocent
'The Miracle of the Virgin' depicts a pagan priest trying to overturn Mary's casket to prove she's not a saint, only to be miraculously thrown to the ground, his hands ripped off, but still attached to the coffin.
Shipbuilders' touch
Look up at the rare 14th-century wooden ceiling shaped like a ship’s keel — likely crafted by the skilled workers of the Arsenale.
Levantine spoils
See if you can spot the gem-like green marble column — brought back to Venice as spoils from the 4th Crusade.
A slice of local life
The church opens onto a typical Venetian campo — a lively little square buzzing with chatter, charm, and unmistakable local character.
Your experience here
- Marvel at the ship’s keel ceiling and spot the distinctive Levantine column.
- See vivid paintings by Palma il Giovane.
- Don’t miss the strangest artwork in any Venetian church: the severed hands miracle.
What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from San Giacomo dall'Orio:
tops 5 mins
Palazzo Mocenigo
tops 5 mins
Natural History Museum
tops 5 mins
Venice Vintage Toys
5-10 min away
Ca' Pesaro
5-10 min away
Basilica dei Frari
5-10 min away
Chiesa di San Paolo
5-10 min away
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