Aerial view of the island of San Giorgio Maggiore, Venice
San Giorgio Maggiore
Venice, Italy
Part of the San Marco district, San Giorgio Maggiore’s origins date from 790AD
About
San Giorgio, a short vaporetto ride away from St Mark’s Square, is a world away from the bustling crowds.
The island is best known for its church – designed by the famous Italian Renaissance architect, Andrea Palladio (who also designed the church Il Redentore on Giudecca).
The church was built between 1566 and 1610. The belltower has a ring of 9 bells in C#.
Art
Two large paintings by Tintoretto – The Last Supper and The Jews in the Desert – can be viewed in the church along with Sebastiano Ricci’s Virgin and Child with Saints -plus paintings by Jacopo and Leandro Bassano.
San Giorgio Maggiore is now the headquarters of the Cini Foundation arts foundation which has research programmes dedicated to art, history, music, theatre and drama.
The gardens are worth visiting (they include one designed by Palladio) and the Glass Rooms (Le Stanze del Vetro), a gallery dedicated to exhibiting glass.
View of San Marco, Venice, from St Giorgio Maggiore
Tip
For what is arguably the best view of Venice, the lagoon and its islands, take the lift (elevator) to the top of San Giorgio’s campanile (bell tower). 75 metres in height (246ft).
The cost of €6 is well worth it.
INFORMATION
WATER BUS STOP
San Giorgio Maggiore (Actv line 2)
SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE LOCATION
VENICE LAGOON ISLANDS ACCOMODATION
Hotels & Apartments
Murano
Hotels & Apartments
Burano
Hotels & Apartments
Lido di Venezia
Hotels & Apartments
Giudecca
Hotels & Apartments
VENICE LAGOON ISLANDS MAP
With Place Markers
LAGOON ISLAND AND VENICE TOURS & ACTIVITIES
From Get Your Guide
Murano & Burano Islands Boat Tour
Murano, Burano, and Torcello Private Boat Tour
Guided Tour of Burano Island
Grand Canal, Murano and Burano Half-Day Boat Tour
Murano: Glass Lampwork Workshop and Walking Tour
Create Your Glass Artwork: Private Lesson With Local Artisan
Private Yacht Tour and Glass Blowing Demonstration
Murano, Burano, and Torcello Vaporetto Guided Tour
San Michele Cemetery Island Vaporetto & Walking Tour
Giudecca Island Discover Walking Tour
Catamaran Sunset Jazz Cruise with Aperitivo
5-Kilometer Sunset Kayaking Class with Gear
All ratings November 2023. E&EO. Images are indicative of the activity but may not be of the tour.