Santa+Maria+della+Salute

History The Basilica "Santa Maria della Salute" is also referred to as "Salute". It is located on a narrow strip of land between the Grand Canal and the St. Mark's Basin. The church was proposed in 1630 by the //__ Venetian Senate __// in response to a particularly terrible wave of the plague, which had already killed about a //__ third of the city's population. __// The Senate promised to build the church, //__ in honor of Mary, __// if she freed the city from the plague. After the epidemic had stopped, the Senate kept its promise and built the church.Baldassare Longhena was chosen to build it. He designed a massive structure with large domes and volutes. He wasn't able to see his masterpiece finished because he died five years before the church was finished.

Characteristics The Salute is octagonal in shape and sits on a platform of 100,000 wooden piles. It is constructed with Istrian stone and a brick known as marmorino. The design is classic but it contains some Byzantine elements. Inside, the high altar arrangement is Baroque in style and was also designed by Longhena. The statues there show "The Queen of Heaven Expelling the Plague´´. Also located in the high altar area is a Byzantine Madonna and Child that was made in the 12th or 13th century. People and Places   Baldassare Longhena - Built the church   Alessandro Varotari - Helped in the selection of designs   Berteo Belli – Helped in the selection of designs   Matteo Ignoli - Helped in the selection of designs  Renovations  The construction started in 1631 and was finished in 1687. It was necessary to demolish an older medieval church to build Lady of Health. On November 21 each year, there is a feast of Santa Maria della Salute, much like the celebration of “The Redeemer”. On the feast there is a Bridge that goes from the Pizza San Marco to the Basilica Maria della Salute. This is for the faithful to return to pray to the Virgin.  Floor Plan



Ilustrations 1. Outside decorations  2. Outside View  3. Inside Altar 4. Inside View Links

[] [] Group Members ü Sybelle de la Cerda ü Isabel Medina ü Andrea Ovalle