Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista

The Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, located in Venice's San Polo sestiere, is a historic confraternity building founded in 1261. As one of the oldest and most significant Scuole Grandi, it played a vital role in the city's charitable and artistic endeavors. The scuola is renowned for housing a relic of the True Cross, gifted in 1369, which transformed it into a wealthy organization. Visitors can explore its stunning architecture, including a Renaissance courtyard designed by Pietro Lombardo and a grand staircase by Mauro Codussi. The interior features the Hall of Columns and the Oratory of the Cross, where the relic is displayed. Although many of its original artworks depicting the Miracles of the Holy Cross are now in the Gallerie dell'Accademia, the scuola remains a captivating site for tourists and researchers interested in Venice's rich history and art.