4,172Reviews13Q&A
Reviews
Traveller rating
- 3,094
- 909
- 130
- 21
- 18
Traveller type
Time of year
Language
More
Selected filters
- Filter
- English
Popular mentions
+1
What can I say but that this church is one of the most beautiful and the most remarkable ecclesiastical complex in Venice. Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, usually called only Frari, is a beautiful Gothic Venetian church located in the sestiere San Polo.This church is one of the most important Franciscan foundations in Italy. Originally built between 1236 and 1338 by the Franciscan Conventual Friars, the structure was thoroughly re-modelled in the XIV century and given its present most magnificent form of central nave, two side aisles and seven apsidal chapels after the Franciscan-Gothic style. Frari is an imposing brick building, one of the three most important Venetian churches. Like many Venetian churches, the exterior is quite simple. Frari still has a wooden iconostasis, and is therefore special in Venice. But interior hides world marvels of art, of immeasurable significance. Over the centuries the Basilica has become a veritable treasure-chest of exceptional works of art. Any discussion on the art within the church has, of course, to start with what is perhaps the most famous masterpiece of Titian's early maturity, "The Assumption" (1516-1518). What not to be forgotten is also Titian's famous "Virgin Mary from Cà Pesaro" (1526), which Ruskin thought to be the artist's best work in Venice. In the Sacristy (through the door in the centre at the end of the right transept) there’s also a Giovanni Bellini altarpiece to contemplate at length, a "Virgin and Child with Saints" (also known as the Frari Madonna). Two sculptures of "John the Baptist", one by Donatello and the other by Sansovino, are equally impressive, as are works by Bartolomeo Vivarini (including his last "Triptych of Saint Mark's", in the last lateral chapel to the right of the altar, and his nephew Alvise (whose last work ( the "Saint Ambrose" altarpiece ) is to be found in the first lateral chapel from the left). The chapel of Fiorentini also contains the only Venetian work by Donatello, his magnificent wooden statue of "St. John the Baptist". Among the many celebrities in the church are the tombs and funerary remains of Tiziano Vecellio, Antonio Canova, composer Claudio Monteverdi, Saint Pacifico (founder of the church), General Melchiorre Trevisan, and many Venetian Doges, Dondolo, Foscari, Tron and Pesaro.…
Read more
Date of experience: January 2021
144 Helpful votes1 Save8 Reposts
Helpful
Amazing works of art! This is a beautiful Gothic Church that houses a beautiful painting by Titian as well as several other artists.
Read more
Date of experience: February 2021
Helpful
It is an interersting old church. The entrance is charged, but the money is for the conservation of this beautiful impressing church. It is a big imposing building from the 14th century. It is very interestring. One of the most important things is the painting Assumption of the Virgin of Titian at the front altar. Although it is not one of the top sights of Venice, I think once in Venice, you should go there and look inside.…
Read more
Date of experience: February 2020
Helpful
One of my high light was the visit in the BAsilica, the Mosaiks. Don't miss the actual exhibition of old fragments in eye view!!! A never seen before of 700 years old history!!
Read more
Date of experience: October 2020
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
A must while in Venice lots of history here . can spend an hour in this building . How did there build these churches !
Read more
Date of experience: September 2020
3 Helpful votes
Helpful
