Regarding Venice’s skyline, does that facade draw your attention? That is Santa Maria del Rosario. Locals often call it I Gesuati. It is an eighteenth-century Dominican church. It stands proudly in the Dorsoduro district. The church overlooks the Giudecca Canal.
Santa Maria del Rosario boasts a well-lit interior. It remarkably preserves its original Rococo decoration. Construction began in 1725. The church was consecrated in 1743. By 1755 the final sculptural details were in place.
Let’s step back in time to understand its origins. The religious order of the Jesuates had no connection with the Jesuits. The Jesuates acquired wealth through donations. They also had a monopoly on wine distillation. By 1390, they had a presence here in Venice.
In 1493, they built a small church. It fronted the Zattere. This fondamenta borders the Giudecca Canal. The church was originally dedicated to St Jerome. Later, it honored Santa Maria della Visitazione. It became known as the Church of the Visitation.
However, the Jesuates faced challenges. Recruitment dwindled. Duties became neglected. Pope Clement IX suppressed the order in 1668. The Dominicans acquired their property in 1669. By 1670, they settled here. The place became known as the Dominicans’ place at the Gesuati. Venetians still use that name today.
The Dominicans found the Church of the Visitation too small. By 1720, they decided to build a new church. Giorgio Massari’s model was approved in 1724. He was the greatest Venetian architect of his time.
Construction of Santa Maria del Rosario began in 1725. The Dominicans raised funds from various sources. Carlo Maria Lazzaroni organized the funding. The funds enabled them to embellish it with art.
Massari preserved the Church of the Visitation. He built the new church further along the Zattere. He based his design on those of his famous predecessors. Palladio’s churches inspired him.
The Dominicans wished to celebrate their order. They also wanted to encourage devotion to the rosary. The feast of Our Lady of the Rosary had been established in 1716. This followed a victory over the Turks.
The first stone was laid on May 17 1726. The church was consecrated on September 29 1743. By 1755, the work was complete. It appears today much as it did then.
Look at the facade. To support its weight, 270 piles were driven into the soil. Giant Corinthian pilasters support a heavy triangular pediment. Four niches flank the main entrance. They hold statues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance.
Inside Santa Maria del Rosario, the nave is well-lit. Large high windows illuminate the space. They highlight the contrasting tones of white walls and gray stone.
Giovanni Battista Tiepolo created the ceiling decoration. Completed by 1739, it includes three frescoes. “The Glory of St Dominic” is nearest the entrance. “The Appearance of the Virgin to St Dominic” is near the altar. In the center is “The Institution of the Rosary”.
Paintings and sculptures adorn the nave. On the right above the first altar, see Tiepolo’s painting. It depicts three female Dominican saints.
The second altar on the right features a sculpture of angels. Giovanni Maria Morlaiter created it. It surrounds a painting of St Dominic by Giambattista Piazzetta.
Above the third altar, an oil painting depicts three male Dominican saints. Giambattista Piazzetta painted it.
On the left side of the nave, the first altarpiece is by Sebastiano Ricci. It celebrates Pope Pius V, Thomas Aquinas, and St Peter Martyr.
The second altar on the left holds a statue of the Madonna of the Rosary. Antonio Rosa created it in 1836.
The third altar features Tintoretto’s painting of the Crucifixion. It dates back to around 1560.
Almost all the sculpture in Santa Maria del Rosario is by Giovan Maria Morlaiter. His work fills the church.
The choir behind the main altar has carved wooden stalls. They date from between 1740 and 1744. A ceiling painting by Tiepolo shows David playing the harp.
Santa Maria del Rosario stands as a testament to faith art and history. Its beauty continues to inspire all who enter. Its story echoes through the centuries. Take a moment to appreciate its splendor.