The Convent of San Francesco della Vigna

A Venetian Renaissance jewel

With its pure, grand Palladian façade, the Church and Convent of San Francesco della Vigna is among the finest examples of Venetian Renaissance architecture. You can visit this precious jewel in the Castello district of Venice. You will be stunned by the façade, dominated by a large tympanum, mighty columns and bronze statues. You can walk across the nave to admire the five side chapels.

Don’t miss the convent, with its two cloisters. The larger one, long used as a cemetery, houses the remains of many Venetian nobles. Today, both host exhibitions, cultural events and concerts. The convent also houses the library, with a collection of 80,000 modern and 13,000 antique books. The bell tower rises above the complex and bears a striking resemblance to the famous St Mark’s Campanile.