Sestiere Dorsoduro
Chiesa di San Sebastiano
Church of Saint Sebastian
Votive plague church adorned with vibrant paintings by Veronese, who is also buried here.
San Basilio (3-min walk)
chorusvenezia.org
Standard admission is €3.50. Free entrance with the Chorus pass or with the official city pass.
Additional resources
What makes it special
Protection against the plague
The church is dedicated to Saint Sebastian, reflecting the medieval belief that he protected against the plague. Throughout the church's art, you'll find various representations of this saint, usually depicted as a young man tied to a tree or post and shot with arrows.
Humble exterior, stunning interior
Inside, you'll be amazed by the floor-to-ceiling dramatic frescoes created by Paolo Veronese over the course of 30+ years.
Why specifically Veronese?
According to legend, Veronese sought refuge at the church in 1555 after fleeing murder charges in Verona, where he allegedly killed a romantic rival. From then onwards, he dedicated his life to decorating the church, up until his death in 1588. He wished to be buried inside the church, beneath his masterpieces. His memorial bust is located to the right of the organ.
Why visit San Sebastiano
This was the three-decade 'workplace' of one of Venice's greatest painters. His dramatic works and the overall sense of peaceful harmony inside will captivate you.
Free entry with:
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Chorus Pass
Gain entry to this church and all the additional 19 on the Chorus circuit with a single, exceptional value ticket.
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Official City Pass
Includes the Chorus pass and offers cost-effective, direct entry to 12 other top spots, including Palazzo Ducale.
Connect the dots
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Venice has four other plague votive churches.
One even preserves the remains of the protector against the plague: Saint Roch.
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Paolo Veronese
He stands alongside Titian and Tintoretto as one of the great painters of the golden age of the Venetian Renaissance.
What to see nearby
These top spots are just a short walk from San Sebastiano:
tops 5 mins
Santa Maria dei Carmini
tops 5 mins
Scuola dei Carmini
5-10 min away
San Nicolo dei Mendicoli
5-10 min away
Venice Jazz Club
5-10 min away
Ponte dei Pugni
5-10 min away
Campo Santa Margherita
5-10 min away
San Barnaba
