Santa Maria Maddalena
Tommaso Temanza/Giannantonio Selva  1760-89
 

History
The first church here was built in 1220 by the Baffo family on the site of their fortified house. It was demolished and replaced by the present church in the 1760s, to a neoclassical design by Tommaso Temanza who died in 1789 and was buried here. Temanza was better known as a theorist and historian and this is one of his few completed buildings. The work was finished by Giannantonio Selva, who went on to design the Fenice opera house. Closed in 1810 and later reopened as an oratory. The church was recently restored and has since been used to house occasional Biennale exhibits.

The church
Modelled on the Pantheon in Rome, as is said of most circular churches - it's circular on the outside with the circularity emphasised by the flattening of the temple front. Has a 'compact' hexagonal interior with four chapels.

Art
Some 18th-century works, including a Last Supper by Giandomenico Tiepolo.

Local colour
The nearby Rio Terra della Maddalena was probably the first canal to be filled in. As late as the 18th century it was just known simply as the Rio Terra.

Opening times
Very rare, usually. Sometimes houses art exhibitions.
Update April 2024 Still housing Gesu: La Vita, a display of many small crib-like dioramas telling the story of the life and passion of Christ (see photo right).
It's open every day except Monday 9.30 - 1.00 & 2.00 - 5.30

Vaporetto San Marcuola

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