There’s so much to say about the church of San Salvador that it’s going to take several posts. I thought I’d start with the cloisters of the former monastery and also the campanile.
Don’t think I’m crazy if I tell you to visit the phone company when you’re in Venice. What a beautiful place. These Renaissance cloisters are right next door to the church; they were reconstructed in 1564 to replace earlier Gothic ones. The monastery was closed in 1810 and for some time was used as army barracks. Telecom Italia acquired the property after the First World War and then restored it in the 1980’s. Today it’s the home of Telecom Italia Future Centre which sometimes has exhibits, but there was nothing going on when I visited in November and I was the only one there. There’s a cool aerial view of the church and the cloisters on the Future Centre's website.
The first cloister has a beautiful pink marble vera da pozzo while the second has a white one.
The second cloister also has a view of the church’s campanile which isn't easy to find because of how densely built this part of Venice is. When San Salvador celebrated its Cinquecentenario in 2007, the church announced plans to open their bell tower to the public for climbing. I was psyched! So many towers in Venice but so few are open. Well, I asked the lady in the church about this, and she said that the project is stalled and she's not sure it will happen. It's no longer mentioned on the church's website either. I guess the scaffolding on the tower explains why.
Comments (8)
Thanks for the great info. I will definitely add this to my list of places to visit in September. CE
Posted by CE Westwood | February 21, 2011 5:00 PM
Posted on February 21, 2011 17:00
Hi Annie, your photos are beautiful and what a cool place to hold exhibits. It's too bad the tower was closed. I hope it re-opens in the near future. It looks pretty high. I like the Vera da pozzo in this cloister, almost looks like a big vase. I really like it when new owners of places try to maintain the original beauty of the property and continue to allow the public to enjoy them.
Thanks so much for sharing. I'm looking forward to readin more about this special place.
Posted by Kathy (Trekcapri) | February 21, 2011 7:32 PM
Posted on February 21, 2011 19:32
You've taken these photos from such lovely angles. Very nice work!
Posted by EG Wow, Canada | February 21, 2011 7:51 PM
Posted on February 21, 2011 19:51
OK, Annie - You've whetted my appetite! I can't imagine living around art every corner that it's even present at the post office ~ lucky Venetians. Mahalo for your post. Looking forward to the next ones.
Posted by menehune | February 22, 2011 9:27 AM
Posted on February 22, 2011 09:27
What a lovely spot, so cool and clean-looking -- I love the pink stone. Good for TIM! I'll be watching for more on the San Salvador complex.
BTW, I also really like your new header photo, with the beautiful red and black stone work.
Posted by sandrac | February 22, 2011 5:38 PM
Posted on February 22, 2011 17:38
I just want to thank you for all these postings. During my dissertation research in Venice, I took time out to visit perhaps 50 of the churches. I'm enjoying seeing the pictures through your eyes and in my memory.
Posted by David Perry | February 23, 2011 3:02 PM
Posted on February 23, 2011 15:02
Thanks everyone for your comments. Sandra, the new header is a detail from the facade of San Marco. I'm not used to it yet...it keeps surprising me when I see it.
David, thank you! How wonderful to have been in Venice and been able to visit the churches at your leisure. I'd love to know what your favorites are.
Posted by Annie | February 24, 2011 9:44 AM
Posted on February 24, 2011 09:44
And, another bonus. They have clean toilets, for free use.
Posted by Yvonne | February 25, 2011 12:19 AM
Posted on February 25, 2011 00:19