Santa Maria della Salute (The Salute) in Venice

Santa Maria della Salute, or simply The Salute, is one of Venice’s most iconic religious landmarks. Its monumental white silhouette perched on the edge of the Grand Canal is truly unmissable!

Follow Captain Ulysses on a tour of this must-see landmark in the heart of Venice. Let’s go!

A Brief History of Santa Maria della Salute

In the summer of 1630, a plague epidemic struck Venice, wiping out nearly a third of the population in two years.

Desperate for relief, the Senate sought the protection of the Virgin Mary and vowed to build a grand basilica in her honor.

The project, entrusted to architect Baldassare Longhena, began in 1631 and took 56 years to complete.

Santa Maria della Salute was consecrated on November 9, 1687, five years after the death of its architect, Baldassare Longhena, who devoted more than 50 years of his life to it.

Visiting Santa Maria della Salute

The Exterior of the Basilica

At first glance, the basilica impresses with its monumental size. The Salute rests on more pilings than any other Venetian monument: 1,156,627 in total!

Its imposing facade, crowned by two domes of different sizes, blends classical and baroque styles. The uniqueness of the basilica is also highlighted by its orecchioni, the spiral volutes that transition between the facade and the domes.

The octagonal design of The Salute is an explicit reference to the Virgin’s crown. The exterior is adorned with 125 statues, including a statue of the Virgin atop the main dome, a statue of Saint Mark on the smaller dome, statues of the four evangelists, and countless statues of angels and various figures.

The Interior of the Basilica

The interior of Santa Maria della Salute is centered around a vast open space surrounded by six chapels, one of which displays a beautiful painting by Titian.

The marble floor, with its intricate geometric patterns, is a work of art in itself.

Don’t miss the high altar, adorned with a Byzantine icon of the Virgin and topped by a sculpture depicting the Virgin and Child saving Venice from the plague.

The Sacristy (entrance fee required) houses a collection of masterpieces, including Tintoretto’s famous Wedding at Cana.

Numbers & Symbolism

Legend has it that Santa Maria della Salute was built based on the numbers 8, symbolizing hope and salvation, and 11, symbolizing faith.

These numbers appear repeatedly in the basilica’s architecture:

• The basilica has 8 sides.
• There are 8 columns inside.
• 16 steps (8x2) lead into the basilica, and 11 steps descend to the Grand Canal.
• The basilica is 121 feet (11x11) long and 88 feet (8x11) wide, with each side of the octagon measuring 44 feet (4x11).

Coincidence or not: what do you think?

Viewing Santa Maria della Salute from the Grand Canal

Captain Ulysses, a passionate sailor, insists that the basilica is best viewed from the Grand Canal.

Depending on your budget and preferences, you have several options:

• Vaporetto (the budget option)
• Motorboat cruises on the Grand Canal (the mid-range option)
• Gondola rides on the Venetian canals (the most expensive, but the most romantic option!)

Practical Information

Access to Santa Maria della Salute

To visit The Salute, head to the Dorsoduro district, south of the Grand Canal, a stone’s throw from the Peggy Guggenheim Collection, and opposite the Doge’s Palace and St. Mark’s Basilica.

The nearest vaporetto stop is Salute (line 1). If you plan to use public transport (vaporetto and/or bus) frequently during your stay in Venice, Captain Ulysses recommends getting a transport pass.

👉 Book your bus + vaporetto pass.

Opening Hours of Santa Maria della Salute

The basilica is open to visitors daily:

• From 9 AM to 12 PM
• From 3 PM to 5:30 PM

Admission Fees

Entry to Santa Maria della Salute is free. However, access to the Sacristy costs €6.

Madonna della Salute Festival

Every year on November 21, Venetians commemorate the end of the plague with a grand religious ceremony: the Madonna della Salute Festival.

👉 Skip the lines: book your tickets and tours in Venice, Italy!