Located in Campo dei Frari, more precisely in the San Polo district in Venice, Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, commonly known as just the Frari, is the biggest Church in the city of Venice. It was built in honor of the Assumption of Mary and it’s quite particular because the main material it was built with is brick, making it really remarkable.
Let’s find out something more about Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari in Venice and why you should visit it!
The History of Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
Back in the Veneto-Byzantine tradition, Churches used to be simply small parishes, up until the arrival of mendicants such as the Dominicans, Franciscans and Augustinians. This brought larger churches to the city of Venice and, one of the greatest examples of this is the Frari.
Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is a very large Gothic Church made of brick. Its construction dates back to the XIV century and the Church was fully completed in 1492 with a bell tower that holds the record for being Venice’s tallest one.
Inside the Basilica: Renaissance Treasures and Art
The inside of the Church is decorated with Renaissance masterpieces such as the “Madonna Ca’ Pesaro” and the “Assumption of the Virgin”, made by the artist Titian.
The latter is one of the most interesting aspects of the Church and a great reason for tourists to visit. It is located on the main altar and it’s surrounded by stained glass. Another important aspect of this Basilica is the Tomb built in honor of Antonio Canova, an Italian sculptor. It was created by its students in the shape of a pyramid, which never fails to surprise visitors.
The chapel of the Church also contains some great works of art by artists like Giovanni Bellini and Vivarini.
Why you should Visit Basilica dei Frari in Venice
Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the city of Venice. Visiting this Church is definitely worth it and we can assure you it will leave you speechless!
If you want to get to know more about the city of Venice and Italy in general, check out our other blogs and consider booking a Venice private tour with us to get the full in-depth experience of what you’re visiting!
