Santa Maria della Salute

Accessing this somewhat hidden room behind the main altar is a small adventure in itself.

The entrance is through a door next to a side altar, followed by a narrow, curved corridor that follows the shape of the church.

When you finally reach the Sacristy, you'll immediately notice the striking contrast with the somewhat austere interior you've just left behind.

The room comes alive with rich colors and expressive forms, with paintings by Titian, Tintoretto, and other Venetian masters adding another layer of art to your visit.

Back to practical details: admission is €6, and tickets are also available online.

Keep in mind that you can visit the Sacristy at La Salute for free with a valid ticket for St. Mark's Basilica.

At the base of the basilica's giant dome, on the exterior, a small balcony offers sweeping views across Venice.

Of all the viewpoints we recommend in Venice, this is the highest one close to the Grand Canal.

And as you can imagine, being up here is quite something…

The views stretch uninterrupted from west to east, with Venice unfolding below you to the north.

Behind you, the giant dome blocks the view to the south, but on a hot day, this is actually an advantage: you can enjoy the shade.

Down at water level, the vessels on the canal look surprisingly tiny.

Regarding practical details, the climb is indeed a bit of an adventure: 150 narrow steps with no elevator. Given the climb, 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, payable by cash or card, and you can even book your timeslot online at no extra cost.

The bubonic plague was devastating for Venice.

The last great wave came in 1630–1631 and killed nearly half of the city's population.

As it had done during previous outbreaks, Venice turned to faith, vowing to build a church dedicated to the Virgin Mary if the plague came to an end. When the epidemic finally subsided, Venice fulfilled its vow by building La Salute.

But La Salute was not the first church Venice built in gratitude after the plague. Four other votive churches predate it, each a response to an earlier outbreak.

And only one of them holds the relics of the city's legendary protector against the disease.

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

The interior of the church is sure to impress, and the paintings offer a glimpse of Tintoretto's bold brushwork before you encounter his abundance of masterpieces at the adjacent Scuola Grande di San Rocco.

This was the wealthiest of the 7 Venetian Scuole Grandi and is perhaps the best known and most visited today.

Its spectacular Chapter Hall, adorned with no fewer than 33 paintings, can easily stand alongside the most magnificent rooms of the Doge's Palace.

The Sacristy ceiling is Titian’s artistic contribution to the Basilica of La Salute.

There, muscular, dramatically foreshortened figures are full of movement and emotion. These works reflect the powerful influence of Michelangelo, whom Titian deeply admired.

But Titian's legacy doesn't stop here. His masterpieces can be found across some of Venice's most iconic landmarks, including the Doge's Palace and the Frari Basilica.

Nearby La Salute, the best place to see more of the master's works is the Accademia Galleries.

The museum features several more of his masterpieces, including the grand 'Presentation of the Virgin in the Temple', still displayed in situ in the museum's Sala dell'Albergo.

In fact, we highly recommend the galleries if you want to discover beautiful works by multiple Venetian masters.

The museum is home to some of the city's most important masterpieces, many of which once adorned the very landmarks around Venice that you may have already visited, or plan to visit.

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.

Both are part of the Civic Museums of Venice, a network of culturally significant sites across the city, including the Doge's Palace . They can all be conveniently visited with the Museum Pass.