Venice Churches
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Chiesa di San Basso is one of the oldest Venice churches. Since the 1890s, the church has served as a meeting venue. Today, it is a concert hall known to everyone as Ateneo di San Basso. At this former church, you can enjoy the beautiful sounds of Vivaldi and Mozart. The concerts, played by the St Mark's Chamber Orchestra and others, are perfect for a night out in Venice.
Getting there
Chiesa di San Basso has an excellent location on the Venice map. Located in San Marco, the most famous Venice sestiere, it is close to all the best attractions in Venice. You can walk here after exploring other parts of Venice, or arrive by vaporetto. The closest stops are Fermata S. Marco or S. Marco - San Zaccaria. Only a few Venice churches have such a convenient location.
History & architecture
The church emerged in 1079 to honor the holy Basso at the request of the Elia family. In 1105 and 1661, Chiesa di San Basso suffered from fires and had to undergo a few restorations. The latest design was in the hands of Baldassarre Longhena. Therefore, Chiesa di San Basso is a remarkable example of a Baroque architectural style. It has four Corinthian columns and two single-mullioned windows.
In 1806, the church lost all the altars, valuable art, and decorations. It was no longer a place of worship and was now under a private owner. But in 1847, the patriarch Jacopo Monico liberated San Basso and gave it to St Mark's Basilica. Chiesa di San Basso served as the basilica's storage and technical office. In the 1890s, it turned into a meeting venue.
Things to do in the area
In this part of the San Marco sestiere, you'll find the most touristic sites in Venice. You can find them on our interactive Venice map to plan an exciting route. The one place you can't miss is the world-known St Mark's Basilica. This cathedral of Venice is by far the richest of the Venice churches. The St Mark's Bell Tower and St Mark's Square are right here. Plan to visit the Doge's Palace and Museo Correr to see some of the iconic Venice museums. If you want to dive into Venetian religious art, visit the nearby churches. San Zaccaria, Chiesa della Pietà, and San Moisè church will impress you.
