The San Pantalon Church in Venice is plain from the outside but inside you will discover a magnificent ceiling painting. The church may have been built in the 9th-century or 11th-century structure. It was redone in the 17th century. The ceiling painting is on canvas and titled “The Martyrdom and Apotheosis of St Pantalon”. It took the artist Gian Antonio Fumiani 24 years to paint. At which point he plunged to his death from the scaffold. Now teh painter stares permanently at his work from his resting place within the church.
One of the Best Church Ceilings in Venice
The ceiling Baroque painting is thought to be the largest painting on canvas. The artist used trompe-l’oeil technique so that the figures seem to step away from the background. Feed coins into a box to light up the ceiling artwork. Otherwise, it remains in the gloom of the church to protect the paint from fading.
San Pantalon Church Details
Where: Take the water taxi to Rio Novo or Vaporetto n.1 from the bus terminal or train station. Campo San Pantalon, (the square of San Pantaleone Martire). On Rio di Ca’ Foscari, close to where it joins the Grand Canal.
Open hours: Mon-Sat 10am-noon and 1pm-3pm
Cost: Free
Note: It is not possible to take photographs.
Website: San Pantalon Church Venice
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