St Mark's Basilica, St Mark's Square, Venice

Sant’Alvise

Cannaregio,Venice, Italy

Beautiful church built by a former Doge of Venice

Main Image: By Didier Descouens – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Image: By Didier Descouens – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

About Sant’Alvise

Sant’Alvise is a church in Cannaregio and has a plain brick exterior which belies the artistic treasures to be found within its walls.

The church is believed to have been built in in 1338 by Antonio Venier, the 62nd Doge of Venice and is dedicated to St. Louis of Toulouse, known in Venice as Saint Alvise.

Inside, the church is seen to be believed, colourful trompe l’œil ceiling frescoes and massive canvases make this a rather special church and one to be seen.

The doorway is made of stone from Istria and above it you can see a statue of Saint Alvise.

Visiting St Alvise

Useful Information

Location/Waterbus

Vaporetto Line 4.1, line 4.2/ Line 5.1, line 5.2

Buy vaporetto waterbus tickets | View timetables, routes & maps

Waterbus stop: S. Alvise

Opening Times

Monday – Saturday: 10.30am – 5pm

Tickets & Tours

Tickets: The Private Cannaregio and Jewish Quarter Tour includes Campo dei Mori (the square of the Moors), Madonna dell’Orto, Sant’Alvise Church and the Jewish Ghetto with an option to see a synagogue.

Venice: Private Cannaregio and Jewish Quarter Tour

Entry to the church is €3,50. A Chorus Pass allows you to visit a number of churches for one fee. View more details.

Image: By Didier Descouens – Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Stunning Ceiling

The ceiling of St Alvise is something particularly special. It was painted by Pietro Antonio Torri and Pietro Ricchi.

Torri was an interesting character. It is said he broke Michelangelo’s nose during an argument and subsequently fled Italy for England and Spain.

Amongst the other works of art in the church is Christ carrying the Cross by Giambattista Tiepolo along with The Coronation with Thorns and The Flagellation.