San Giovanni Elemosinario

San Giovanni Elemosinario is a Catholic church in Venice. It is located in the San Polo district in the Fabbriche Vecchie in the Rialto district. The church dates back in its present form from the 16th century.

Patron saint is John the Almoner.

History

The origin of the church dates back probably to the 9th century, in 1071 it was mentioned in documents. In the Middle Ages the Campanile collapsed, which was then still built twice. The still existing late-Gothic tower dates from around 1400.

1514 cremated a terrible fire disaster all the insulation of the Rialto one with the market and all its rich warehouse, as well as the church. The Senate of the Republic commissioned after the architect Scarpagnino with the construction of the market district, and probably also of the Church. This turned his attention forward to build the market halls clear and all the rules of safety with large arches. Also the main portal of the church fits into this sheet structure.

The Doge Andrea Gritti personally took large share of the new building of the church who prayed here every Wednesday. Above all, the Church in numerous brotherhoods, associations of craftsmen and guilds was popular, who donated a large part of the interior.

Specifications

The church has the shape of a Greek cross, which is inscribed in a square. Also, the presbytery and the apse are square. In the center rises a dome. The interior combines simplicity in the sense of classical Renaissance.

The first altar on the left was that of gallineri, the chicken dealer from 1597th He was granted by the Doge Marino Grimani as a base plate at the altar tells. To the left, on the entrance wall, a painting by Domenico Tintoretto, which the Doge Marino Grimani and his wife Morosina Morosini shows how this worship with two brothers of gallineri God the Father is. The first altar on the right, however, belonged to the biavaroli, the oats dealers. A bottom plate in front of the Doge Ludovico reported by granting Manin 1792.

Of particular importance is the altar to the right of the main altar. It was that of Corrieri, the messengers, and shows a major painting by Giovanni Antonio da Pordenone, the Saint Catherine, Sebastian and Rochus of 1532-33. In the lunette above you can see the St. Catherine of angels cared for by Domenico Tintoretto.

On the main altar there is the representation of John Elemosinario ( John the Almoner ) by Titian ( 1545-50 ), whose relics are also located in Venice, in the church of San Giovanni in Bragora. Giorgio Vasari reports of an alleged rivalry between Pordenone and Titian at the paintings in the church.

More artworks inside are from Palma il Giovane and Leonardo Corona. A relief depicting the birth of Christ comes from the 6/7 Century.