The San Zaccaria:

 A Successful Blend of Renaissance and Gothic Styles

 The San Zaccaria, picture by Anatoly Terentiev, 1 May 2004

The San Zaccaria is located in the Castello district, a short walk from the vaporetto stop of the same name on the Riva degli Schiavoni.

The church is dedicated to Saint Zacharias, the father of John the Baptist, whose relics it claims to possess.

The first church, constructed on the orders of Doge Giustiniano Particiaco, was completed in the 9^th century. It was subsequently replaced by a 12th century romanesque church which was in turn replaced by a 14th century Gothic structure. The campanile was completed in 1170.

The architect, Antonio Gambello, commenced work on the facade in 1445. Gambello produced a Gothic design with narow pointed arches and spires.

However, after Gambello's death in 1481, the project was completed by Mauro Codussi, who redesigned the upper section, replacing its spires and long windows with a classical arrangement of symmetrical panels and pilasters. 

A Benedictine monastery, which donated land for the 12th century expansion of the Piazza San Marco, was once attached to the San Zaccaria. The generosity of its monks was formerly acknowledged by a traditional Easter service held at the church during which the Doge ritually doffed the ducal cap as an expression of the city's gratitude.

A convent was also attached to the church. During the 18th century it acquired a reputation as a dumping ground for disobedient daughters and discarded wives.

The interior of the church is bright and airy. The apse is surrounded by a cloister whose aisles are lit by Gambello's tall Gothic windows. Its walls are decorated with numerous paintings by Tintoretto, Trevisiani, Tiepolo and Van Dyck, amongst others.

Madonna and Child with Saints (1505) by Giovanni Bellini, San Zaccaria, Venice

A richly coloured altarpiece depicting the Madonna and Child with Saints (1505), reputedly the last such picture by Giovanni Bellini, is located in the north aisle. The picture was stolen by the French invaders in 1797 and was not returned until 1816.

The San Zaccaria is also notable for the Chapel of San Tarasio, the second in a series accessed from the nave, which contains  vault frescoes by Andrea del Castagno and a series of polyptychs by Antonio Vivarini.

The church also possesses a magnificent funerary bust  of the sculptor Alessandro Vittoria, who carved the statue of Saint Zacharias located above its principal entrance.

The crypt, which is prone to flooding, contains the tombs of nine former doges.

 

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