The 5 Beautiful Scuole Grandi You Can Easily Visit

Scuole Grandi

Scuole Grandi were charitable institutions that provided welfare for Venice's poorer class, widows, and orphans, offering support such as money, food, social housing, clothing, and even funeral expenses for those unable to afford them.

Though other Italian cities like Rome or Milan had charitable organizations, Venice's Scuole Grandi stood out for their artistic patronage and unique influence on politics.

Venice has a total of 7 Scuole Grandi, with the following 5 being especially notable for their rich history and remarkable art collections.

01 |Scuola Grande San Rocco

The wealthiest of the seven confraternity buildings will impress with its breathtaking grand interiors, showcasing some of the most dramatic artworks in Venice - matched only by those of the Doge's Palace.

Scuola Grande San Rocco : The first glimpse of the spectacular Sala Capitulare as you ascend the grand staircase
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02 |Scuola Grande San Marco

Boasting one of Venice's most impressive marble facades, this former confraternity building now serves as the entrance to the city hospital - and fittingly houses a medical museum in its remarkable upper Chapter Hall.

Scuola Grande San Marco : The exquisite facade makes it arguably the most beautiful of all the Scuole Grandi
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03 |Scuola Grande dei Carmini

Archconfraternity building featuring lavish, luminous, art-filled interiors.

A hidden gem of a scuola that, with a bit of luck, you could have all to yourself while visiting.

Scuola Grande dei Carmini : The capitular hall, the largest of the rooms, is adorned with the most precious works of the Scuola
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04 |Accademia Galleries

Art museum documenting the evolution of Venetian art from the 13th to the 18th centuries.

Immerse yourself in one of Italy's finest art collections, featuring breathtaking canvases brimming with color, light and splendor.

Accademia Galleries : While Leonardo da Vinci's Vitruvian Man is the most renowned work in the Gallery, it is only exhibited for visitors on rare occasions
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05 |Scuola Grande San Teodoro

Once the seat of Venice's oldest confraternity, this historic scuola grande now hosts opera and classical concerts, where performers appear in full 18th-century attire.

Scuola Grande San Teodoro : The evening concerts are especially memorable thanks to the performers' period attire
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