NORTH MEETS EAST: VENICE AS A MELTING POT
In a silent courtyard with a badly leaning tower peeking in, near busy St Mark’s, stands the Orthodox church of St. George of the Greeks: Italian in form, it enshrines rich decorations by Cretan painters and a superb collection of brass and silver oil lamps and chandeliers.
The atmosphere inside is warm, imposing, and mystical at the same time. What is left of the Greek Community in Venice today still celebrates here.
The Community also owns a rich collection of Byzantine and Post Byzantine icons that can be seen in the museum next door. Icons are not just religious paintings, but rather can be described as visual prayers. You need to be in a state of pureness to create them…
A little further is the Brotherhood of the Dalmatian people (better known as “Scuola degli Schiavoni”), whose brave soldiers were loyal to the Republic until the very end. Established in 1455 (soon after the Turkish conquest of Constantinople) was endowed with an important cycle of canvases signed by Vettore Carpaccio (1502 – 1507).
The mood emanating from Carpaccio’ s paintings will transport you to another temporal dimension. The cycle is devoted to St George, St Jerome, and St Tryphone, whose lives and legends are narrated by the artist as if they were fairy tales rather than religious stories.
Particularly attractive are the
HIGHLIGHTS
- The Greek Orthodox Church (San Giorgio dei Greci)
- Museum of Byzantine and Post Byzantine Icons
- Brotherhood of San Giorgio dei Dalmati (or “Scuola degli Schiavoni”) with the cycle of canvases by Vettore Carpaccio
- Rialto Bridge and Fontego dei Tedeschi
MORE ABOUT
THIS TOUR
NORTH MEETS EAST: VENICE AS A MELTING POT
Harbor and market, production center of luxury goods, and stop in the Grand Tour: for reasons of commerce, education or pleasure, Venice always attracted many foreigners, and always
DRESS CODE AND ADVICE
- Short sleeves and knee high pants and skirts are ok
- No sleeveless and no shorts
COST
- This tour lasts three hours and costs 295 euros up to six people (not per person), only private parties. For larger parties send us an email!
- Museum admission fees: 10 euros per person