Santa Maria dei Miracoli, Venice
Venice's Santa Maria dei Miracoli overlooks a canal on one side and a little square (shown here) on the other. Photo © Paradoxplace.com.
Canal running alongside the church. Photo
Martin Belam.
The pastel, marble-covered exterior. Photo
Craig Moe.
Facade of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. Photo
Sara Fach.
Interior of the church with miraculous image. Photo © Paradoxplace.com.
Location map and aerial view of Santa Maria dei Miracoli. For a larger interactive view, see our Venice Map.
Tucked away at a charming canal crossing in a quiet corner northeast of the Rialto Bridge in Venice, the small 15th-century Santa Maria dei Miracoli is an early Renaissance church covered in polychrome marble. A canal runs along one side of the church, creating attractive reflections.
History
In 1470s Venice, an icon of the Virgin Mary was credited for a varieity of miracles, including bringing back to life someone who spent half an hour at the bottom of the Giudecca Canal. The reported miracles attracted many pilgrims, who eventually left enough donations to fund the building of the church.
Santa Maria dei Miracoli was built in the 1480s to a design by Pietro Lombardo (c.1435-1515), a local artisan whose background in monuments and tombs is obvious in his work. Lombardo would go on to become one of the founding fathers of the Venetian Renaissance.
The Miracoli (as it is commonly known) is once again open to the public after an extensive 10-year renovation.
What to See
Tiny yet perfectly proportioned, this early Renaissance gem has a picturesque location on a small square alongside a canal, making it a favorite venue for weddings. Gondolas drop off and pick up the newlyweds.
The exterior is covered in polychrome marble, extra pilasters and offset arcade windows, all of which create an illusion of greater size. The unique effect is admired by many, but some compare it less favorably to an oversized tomb with a dome.
The elegant interior of Santa Maria dei Miracoli is intricately decorated with pink, white and grey marble and early Renaissance marble reliefs. The miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, known as I Miracoli (The Miraculous), is still proudly displayed on the high altar.
Quick Facts
| Site Information | |
| Names: | Santa Maria dei Miracoli; The Miracoli |
| Location: | Venice, Veneto, Italy |
| Faith: | Christianity |
| Denomination: | Catholic |
| Dedication: | Virgin Mary (of Miracles) |
| Category: | Churches |
| Architecture: | Renaissance |
| Date: | 1480s |
| Architect: | Pietro Lombardo |
| Features: | Miraculous Image |
| Visitor Information | |
| Address: | Campo Santa Maria Nova, Cannaregio, Venice 30121, Italy |
| Coordinates: | 45.439477° N, 12.339248° E (view on Google Maps) |
| Lodging: | View hotels near this location |
| Public transport: | Vaporetto: Rialto |
Travel Resources
- Venice Map - our detailed interactive map of Venice, plus hand-picked links to more
- Venice Hotels - check availability, maps, photos and reviews, and book at the guaranteed lowest price
- Venice Guided Tours - sightseeing tours and activities in Venice
Article Sources
- Chiesa Santa Maria dei Miracoli - Frommer's Northern Italy
- Fodor's Venice and the Venetian Arc
- Santa Maria dei Miracoli - Fodor's Italy
Last updated on December 14, 2009.
