Wednesday, November 16, 2011

San Giorgio Maggiore

Yesterday I showed you Venice from the air via the bell tower of San Giorgio Maggiore. Today we'll explore the interior of the church.As I said yesterday, the building was designed by noted architect Andrea Palladio in 1565 after he had worked on the adjacent monastery for the Benedictine Monks who run the church.


The church was finished in 1610, 30 years after Palladio's death. The original bell tower from 1467 fell down in 1774 and was rebuilt 20 years later in Neoclassical style to better suit Palladio's efforts.At the crux of the center nave, where the tower is located, is a strange smoke machine installed for the Biennale.

Now that explains the strange piping we saw on the roof yesterday!
The interior is crisp, white and clean -the type of classicism I love best.
Located behind the apse alter screen, seen above, is a beautiful choir stall.Designed by Palladio, the stalls were built between 1580 and 1589.And I couldn't let you go without a close up of the gorgeous marble floors!





4 comments:

Mark D. Ruffner said...

As I recall, Palladio had no formal training as an architect (though I don't know if anyone in his time did!). I think it would be fun to take a Palladio tour of Italy.

Ann said...

Oh I want in on said tour, Mr. Ruffner! Beautiful images today, thank you for sharing!

Janet said...

Pure Palladio. Nothing finer.

Lynne Rutter said...

sigh. thank you!