St Mary of the Friars (Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari)
- Address:Campo di Frari
- Hours:Mon - Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 1-6pm.
- Admission:€ 13 for a Piazza San Marco museums pass
6:18 AM Monday, May 28
Clear. Mild.
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From the outside, the brick Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (the Frari Church) looks rather plain. But step inside and you are surrounded by some of the greatest beauty of the Italian Renaissance. Built for the Fransicans in the 14th and 15th centuries, the design itself is simple - although having the choir stalls in the middle of the church is an unusual feature - but the art that the monks commissioned more than makes up for it.
The most significant painting is Titian's Assumption of 1518 over the altar. It changed painting forever. There are also side chapels full of art, and in the main church, the tombs of significant wealthy Venetians battle for supremacy. Titian himself is buried here in an impressive tomb and the sculptor Antonio Canova has a pyramid-shaped monument!
Great tour and the tour guide was very informative. Continue Reading »
We really enjoyed this tour. The tour guide knew where everyone goes to shop and eat. The guide did seem a little puzzled at first when he read our voucher. Kind of like he didn't know what he was supposed to show us. A little disappointed that we didn't go into any of the churches listed. We just saw the outside of them. Seeing the fish and food market was great. Definitely worth doing. Continue Reading »
Reaching the Frari Church requires a bit of twisting and turning through Venice's streets - a map will help and there are usually plenty of people to follow. Or you can go on a tour and follow the guide. The nearest vaporetto (ferry) stop is S. Toma. If you are planning to visit a few churches in Venice, buy a Chorus ticket which allows you into sixteen specified churches within a one year period.
