Architect: Baldassare Longhena

The Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (1631) is a key example of Venetian Baroque. Built as a votive offering following a devastating plague, the church is defined by its revolutionary octagonal plan and a massive central dome supported by iconic, oversized exterior scrolls known as "orecchioni" (big ears).

The structure is a feat of engineering, resting on a foundation of over 1.1 million wooden piles. Its brilliant white Istrian stone exterior features a triumphal arch portal and a secondary smaller dome, creating a dynamic, theatrical silhouette at the entrance of the Grand Canal. Inside, the radial design directs all focus toward the high altar, which houses a Byzantine icon of the Virgin, framed by Longhena's sophisticated play of light and grey-and-white marble.

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The Sacristy of the Basilica della Salute in Venice
It ( the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute ) is a true pilgrimage, because the church was built by the famous architect Longhen...

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Santa Maria della Salute | church, Venice, Italy | Britannica
design by Longhena Longhena's masterpiece, the Church of Santa Maria della Salute (1631/32–1687) at the entrance to the Grand Can...

Britannica

A Beautiful View Of Santa Maria della Salute - Venice, Italy ✨️ Designed by Baldassare Longhena and built between 1631 and 1687 as a tribute to the end of the plague. A Baroque icon rising at the edge of the Grand Canal. Photographer: @elen.venezia [IG] #archidesiign #architecture #design #travel #photography #europe #baroque #venice #italy
Dec 2, 2025 — One of the primary sights of the city of Venice, the Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute was the masterpiece of Baldassare Longhe...

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Wandering Series: Architecture Guide to Venice