Sestiere Dorsoduro
Chiesa Parrocchiale di San Pantalon
Church of San Pantalon
Church concealing a vast ceiling painting that spans the heavens above.
S. Tomà (5-min walk)
www.sanpantalon.it
+39 041 272 8611
Additional resources
What makes it special
The awe-inspiring ceiling
The ceiling unfolds into one continuous, breathtaking work of art — a dramatic swirl of saints and angels seemingly bursting through the roof into infinity.
Two and a half decades of work
Gianantonio Fumiani spent 24 years creating this masterpiece, working on the ceiling from 1680 to 1704.
The world's largest painting on canvas
Rather than being painted directly on the church ceiling, it is composed of 40 canvases sewn together into one vast artwork. With a closer look, you can still spot the seams where the canvases were joined.
Your experience here
- Don’t be fooled by the plain exterior — step inside for a jaw-dropping surprise.
- Look up to discover a vibrant celestial scene, bursting with incredible depth and intricate details that are impossible to take in all at once.
- Once you've stretched your neck back into place, seek out Veronese’s final masterpiece.
Switch on the lights
Given the church’s dim lighting, consider making a symbolic €1 payment to briefly switch on the ceiling lights and fully appreciate the countless details on the canvas.
Without the lights, the experience is noticeably dimmed.
A saint more revered in the East
Saint Pantaleon is revered in Eastern Christianity as one of the Holy Unmercenary Healers.
One year before his death, Veronese completed his last known work, an altarpiece located inside the church.
It depicts Saint Pantaleon performing a miraculous healing on a boy bitten by a poisonous snake.
What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from San Pantalon:
tops 5 mins
Scuola di San Rocco
tops 5 mins
Campo Santa Margherita
tops 5 mins
Chiesa di San Rocco
tops 5 mins
Da Vinci Interactive Museum
tops 5 mins
Basilica dei Frari
tops 5 mins
Canal Grande
tops 5 mins
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