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Photo: Travel: Italy: Venice: Churches: Scalzi

St Mary of Nazareth, Cannaregio, Venice

Almost every visitor to Venice probably sees the facade Giuseppe Sardi designed for the Discalced Carmelite Friars' church dedicated to St Mary of Nazareth. Commonly known as Scalzi (barefoot), the church is right next to the train station and next to the Scalzi Bridge. This being a church of the Carmelites, the interior is filled with theological references relevant to the order: representations of St John of the Cross and St Teresa of Avila abound. There are numerous free-standing statues and lots of paintings. Unfortunately, Tiepolo's famous ceiling painting was destroyed in a bombing raid during the First World War (his painting of St Teresa survives). This church is among my favorites in Venice although some may find its interior overwhelming. I am quite partial to St John of the Cross peeking between the Solomonic columns of the high altar in the presbytery. Incidentally, the church also hosts the ashes of the last doge of Venice, Ludovico Manin who surrendered the Republic to Napoleon. There is a small booklet with information about the church but it is not illustrated. Photography is permitted.

Scalzi From the Northwest On the Grand Canal (Monday, September 18th 2006) The West Front of Scalzi From Across the Grand Canal (Monday, September 18th 2006) The Carrara Marble Facade by Giuseppe Sardi (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Facade with the Virgin Mother, Christ Triumphant, and the Coat of the Counts Cavazza (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statue of St Bartholomew On the Facade (Monday, March 10th 2008) Christ Triumphant with Cain and Abel On the Top Pediment (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Virgin Mother Dominates the Facade (Monday, March 10th 2008)
Statue of St Jerome On the Facade (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Imposing Portal with Its Spandrel Figures (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statues of Ss Margaret and John the Baptist in Niches On the Facade (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statue of Mary Magdalen On the Facade (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statue of St Sebastian On the Facade (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Central Niche with the Virgin Mother (Monday, March 10th 2008) Lion Reliefs and Corinthian Capitals On the Columns (Monday, March 10th 2008)
The Spandrel Figures Over the Great Portal (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Presbytery and High Altar by Giuseppe Pozzo (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Presbytery Is a Tribute to the Glory of the Virgin Mother (Monday, March 10th 2008) St John of the Cross Amid the Solomonic Columns of the High Altar (Monday, March 10th 2008) Chapel of St Sebastian with the Statue by Bernardo Falconi (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Temple by Baldassare Longhena and Tabernacle in the Presbytery (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Gilt Wood Crown of the High Altar Beneath the Dome with Stucco Decorations (Monday, March 10th 2008)
The Pediment of the High Altar with Christ and Two Female Figures (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statues of the Libyan, Persian, and Delphic Sibyls by Giovanni Marchiori in the Presbytery (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Hellespontine Sibyl by Giovanni Marchiori in the Presbytery (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statue of St Matthias with His Halberd (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Chapel of St Teresa of Avila with the Fresco by Tiepolo On the Ceiling (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Holy Family Carved by Giuseppe Torretti in Carrara Marble (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statue of St Michael by Giuseppe Torretti (Monday, March 10th 2008)
The Pediment and Frescoed Dome of the Chapel of the Holy Family (Monday, March 10th 2008) Tini Admires the High Altar and the Presbytery (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Chapel of St Teresa of Avila (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Ecstasy of St Teresa Which May Be by Baldi (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Chapel of the Crucifix with Statue by Giovanni Maria Morlaiter (Monday, March 10th 2008) Chapel of St John of the Cross (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statue of St John of the Cross by Bernardo Falcone (Monday, March 10th 2008)
Fresco in the Chapel of the Holy Family (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Elaborate Presbytery Designed by Giuseppe Pozzo (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Presbytery Designed by Giuseppe Pozzo (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Council of Ephesus Proclaims the Divinity of Mary by Ettore Tito On the Nave Ceiling (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Chapel of St Teresa of Avila (Monday, March 10th 2008) Chapel of the Holy Family by Giuseppe Pozzo (Monday, March 10th 2008) St John of the Cross by Thomas Ruer in the Presbytery (Monday, March 10th 2008)
St John of the Cross Peeking Between the Spiral Columns of the High Altar (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Pediment in the Presbytery with Christ and Other Figures (Monday, March 10th 2008) Statue of the Sainted Martyr, Probably St Bartholomew (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Black Madonna Acquired From the Railway Company (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Nave Looking Southeast Toward the Presbytery (Monday, March 10th 2008) The Scalzi Facade by Giuseppe Sardi (Monday, March 10th 2008)