Beneath a simple facade lies a story of transformation at the Chiesa della Visitazione. This church is also known as degli Artigianelli or san Gerolamo dei Gesuati. It stands as Venice’s first example of Renaissance church architecture.
In 1494, friars from Tuscany called Gesuati began its construction. They employed artisans from the Lombardy region. Francesco Mandello was named architect. Francesco Lurano da Castiglione completed the facade’s cladding in 1504.
But that’s not all. The Chiesa della Visitazione has undergone several changes throughout its history. In 1669, the Dominican friars took over. They transformed it into a public library in 1750. Giorgio Massari designed the library’s cabinets. These cabinets now reside in the Accademia delle Belle Arti.
Then came Napoleon Bonaparte in 1810. He expelled the friars. The church was abandoned. Its small dome collapsed. Frescoes were lost forever.
Around the mid-19th century, the Chiesa della Visitazione returned to its function as a church. It served the orphans housed in the nearby former convent. San Luigi Orione took ownership in 1923. He continued religious services for his orphans called Artigianelli.
A significant restoration occurred in 1994 and 1995. Funding came from various sources. These included the Magistrato alle acque di Venezia and the Regione Veneto.
In 2008, the religious community of San Luigi Orione moved. The Chiesa della Visitazione is now a private property. It opens to the public for art exhibitions or concerts.
Notice the little monastery of the Gesuati next to the Chiesa della Visitazione. Its cloister offers a unique perspective. You can see the side of the nearby Chiesa della Madonna del Rosario. Massari also designed this church.
Inside the Chiesa della Visitazione, much has changed. Many paintings were removed after 1750. Some went to the Gallerie dell’Accademia. Others went to different churches. The Tintoretto crucifixion now resides in the adjacent Gesuati church.
Yet, some treasures remain. The Pentecoste del Padovanino graces the main altar. A Crucifixion attributed to Nicolò Renieri adorns the left altar. Look for the two monochrome paintings of bishops. They are above the 16th-century doors near the central altar.
But the ceiling stands out. It features 58 panels with saints from the Old and New Testaments. Pietro Paolo Agabiti and his workshop created these in the early 16th century. The central panel depicts the meeting of Mary and Elizabeth.
Since 2008, the Chiesa della Visitazione has new additions. Maurizio Favaretto painted The Resurrection of Christ. Raffaela Rubbini created Maria Assunta. Students of Favaretto designed a new Via Crucis. They drew inspiration from Giambattista Tiepolo’s Via Crucis.
From 2009 to 2013, the 58 paintings on the wooden ceiling underwent restoration.
The Chiesa della Visitazione stands as a testament to Venice’s ever-evolving story. It blends Renaissance beginnings with later transformations. Its walls echo with history. Its art whispers tales of faith, loss, and renewal.