Gaze upon this facade. It stands as a manifesto of faith and art. Welcome to the Scuola Grande di San Marco. This imposing building stands adjacent to the Dominican convent of Saints John and Paul. It is the most impressive of all Venetian schools.
Founded in 1260, the Scuola Grande di San Marco began as a humble confraternity. They met in a small room near the former Santa Croce church. By 1437, they had grown influential and wealthy. They adopted the name of Venice’s patron saint, Saint Mark.
The confraternity moved to this location in 1437. They obtained the land from the Dominicans next door. A devastating fire in 1485 destroyed the original building. A candle on the altar sparked the blaze. Paintings by Jacopo Bellini and others perished.
Reconstruction began in 1488. Pietro Lombardo designed the new building. Mauro Codussi later completed it. By 1490, the new meeting house was largely finished. Decoration commenced.
In the early 16th century, Gentile Bellini began painting the Life of Saint Mark. These works adorned the Sala dell’Albergo. Around 1523, more Venetian artists decorated the Sala Grande. This continued into the 17th century.
Napoleon suppressed the Scuola Grande di San Marco. The art was dispersed. In 1819, it became an Austrian military hospital. Today, it serves as a civil hospital. The building has been further renovated and reopened in 2013.
Admire the facade from Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo. Notice the decorated niches and pilasters. White and polychrome marble statues adorn it. Pietro Lombardo designed the lower part of the facade. Sculptures from the old facade were reused. The figure of Charity stands above the portal. A relief of Saint Mark Venerated by Members of the Confraternity sits in the lunette below. Bartolomeo Bon likely created these.
Tullio Lombardo created the three-dimensional reliefs at pavement level. These depict two lions. They also show Saint Mark Healing Anianus and Saint Mark Baptising Anianus. Mauro Codussi took over in 1490. He designed the upper windows and top storey of the facade.
Step inside the Scuola Grande di San Marco. Enter through one of Codussi’s doorways. It is in the right wall of the large vestibule. Ten Corinthian columns stand on tall pedestals. The entrance is still used for the hospital.
The Sala del Capitolo features a spectacular gilded ceiling. Vettor Scienzia da Feltre and Lorenzo di Vincenzo da Trento created it in 1519. The room contains impressive paintings. Large display cases hold medical curiosities and books.
The smaller Sala dell’Allbergo opens off the Sala Grande. Biagio and Pietro da Faenza created the carved and gilded ceiling in 1504. Digital reproductions replace the original paintings.
The Scuola di San Marco stands as a testament to Venetian art. It embodies faith, charity, and community.