Santa Maria della Salute, Venice

Classic view of the Grand Canal by Canaletto

 This great church is a symbol of Venice, in countless photos of the Grand Canal, pivotal. But who designed it and why? The Republic decided on 22 October 1630. to build a votive church to celebrate the end of the Plague which had killed a third of the population . It would be dedicated to Our Lady. It was a key site and would symbolise the rebirth of the city. Eleven projects were presented. Among the criteria the building "had to harmonise with the site and had to make a grand impression." The winner was Baldassare Longhena, (1598-1682) whose design with its opulence formed a direct conrast to the nearby Redentore built 50 years earlier. Work began in 1631 but did not end until 1681, just a year before Longhena died.

BY-SA 2.0 Murray Foubister

The octagonal design is set on a platform of steps  and resembles a crown, the crown of Mary, Queen of Heaven. 

Longhena wrote 

I have created a church in the form of a rotunda, a work of new invention, not built in Venice, a work very worthy and desired by Pmany. This church, having the mystery of its dedication, being dedicated to the Blessed Virgin, made me think, with what little talent God has bestowed upon me of building the church in the ... shape of a crown.

John Varriano "Italian Baroque and Rococo architecture (1986) says the design " is among the most ingenious of the 17th  century" and "can justifiably be called th first major Baroque church in Italy". The octagonal plan harks back to Early Christian Churches like San Vitale in Ravenna.However, the most important influence on Longhena was Palladio. E,g.The transverce sanctuary recalls the Redentore Church.

There are two domes and two bell towers. Six chapels protrude from the octagon and the entrance facade has Palladian elements. A first impression is of many statues in niches and a flock of angels and saints standing around the roofs up to the great central cupola.

Looking toward te high altar

The interior is spacious with the six chapels leading off and opposite the entrance a large presbtery with side apses covered by a smaller cupola. The main altar was designed by Longhena and now includes the 12 03 13th century Byzantine icon Madonna and Child known as Panagia Mesopantitissa. It was brought to Venice in from Candia (Heraklion, Crete) after it fell to the Turks in 1669.

The Senate of the Republic decreed that every year on 21 November there would be a special service to commemorate the deliverance from the \Plague where a procession would proceed from St Mark's square to the church across a specially constructed pontoon bridge. This still takes place today. Tat's three weeks time - alas we can't go this year.