The Madonna dell'Orto is a church in

Venice Venice ( ; ; , formerly ) is a city in northeastern Italy and the capital of the Veneto Regions of Italy, region. It is built on a group of 118 islands that are separated by expanses of open water and by canals; portions of the city are li ...

Italy Italy, officially the Italian Republic, is a country in Southern Europe, Southern and Western Europe, Western Europe. It consists of Italian Peninsula, a peninsula that extends into the Mediterranean Sea, with the Alps on its northern land b ...

, in the ''

sestiere A (; : , ) is an administrative division of Italy, roughly equivalent to a township or municipality. It is the third-level administrative division of Italy, after regions () and provinces (). The can also have the title of (). Formed a ...

'' of

Cannaregio Cannaregio () is the northernmost of the six historic ''sestieri of Venice''. It is the second largest ''sestiere'' by land area and the largest by population, with 13,169 people . Isola di San Michele, the historic cemetery island, is associate ...

. This was the home parish of

Tintoretto Jacopo Robusti (late September or early October 1518Bernari and de Vecchi 1970, p. 83.31 May 1594), best known as Tintoretto ( ; , ), was an Italian Renaissance painter of the Venetian school. His contemporaries both admired and criticized th ...

and holds a number of his works as well as his tomb.

History

The church was erected by the now-defunct religious order the "

Humiliati The Humiliati (Italian ) were an Italian religious order of men formed probably in the 12th century. It was suppressed by a papal bull in 1571 though an associated order of women continued into the 20th century. Origin The origin of the order of ...

" in the mid-14th century, under the direction of Tiberio da Parma, who is buried in the interior. It was initially dedicated to St. Christopher, patron saint of those who travel by ferry,"The Church of Madonna dell'Orto", Camera di Commercio di venezia
/ref> but its popular name suggesting consecration to

Holy Virgin Mary was a first-century Jewish woman of Nazareth, the wife of Joseph and the mother of Jesus. She is an important figure of Christianity, venerated under various titles such as virgin or queen, many of them mentioned in the Litany of Loret ...

comes from the following century, when an allegedly miraculous statue of the Madonna, commissioned for the Church of S. Maria Formosa but rejected, was brought to the Church from the nearby orchard ( ''orto'' in Italian) where it had languished. The church lay on weak foundations and in 1399 a restoration project was financed by the city's Maggior Consiglio. In 1414 it was officially named “Chiesa della Madonna dell’Orto” (Church of the Madonna in the Vegetable garden). The Humiliati were ousted in 1462 and the Madonna dell'Orto was assigned to the

congregation Congregation may refer to: Religion *Church (congregation), a religious organization that meets in a particular location *Congregation (Roman Curia), an administrative body of the Catholic Church *Religious congregation, a type of religious instit ...

of Canons Regular of San Giorgio in Alga. The latter order was suppressed in 1668, and the following year the Church and convent annexed were handed over to

Cistercian The Cistercians (), officially the Order of Cistercians (, abbreviated as OCist or SOCist), are a Catholic religious order of monks and nuns that branched off from the Benedictines and follow the Rule of Saint Benedict, as well as the contri ...

s of Lombardy. In 1787 the church came under public administration. Restoration was begun under Austrian rule in the 1840s and finished in 1869, by which time Venice had become part of the unified Kingdom of Italy. Since 1931 the church is assigned to Saint Leonardo Murialdo's "Padri della congregazione di San Giuseppe". The Congregation operates a nearby guesthouse, the "Casa Vacanza Madonna dell'Orto Patronato Pio IX". The church underwent extensive restoration after the flood of 1966.

Façade

The façade, built in 1460–1464,"Madonna dell'Orto", Fodor's
/ref> has sloping sides and is in brickwork, divided in three parts by two pilasters strips. The two side sections have quadruple

mullioned window A mullion is a vertical element that forms a division between units of a window or screen, or is used decoratively. It is also often used as a division between double doors. When dividing adjacent window units its primary purpose is a rigid sup ...

s, while the central has a large

rose window Rose window is often used as a generic term applied to a circular window, but is especially used for those found in Gothic cathedrals and churches. The windows are divided into segments by stone mullions and tracery. The term ''rose window'' wa ...

. The portal is surmounted by a pointed arch with white stone decorations portraying, on the summit, St. Christopher, the Madonna and the Archangel Gabriel by Nicolò di Giovanni Fiorentino and Antonio Rizzo. Under is a tympanum, in porphyry, supported by circular pilaster strips. The whole is included into a

porch A porch (; , ) is a room or gallery located in front of an entrance to a building. A porch is placed in front of the façade of a building it commands, and forms a low front. Alternatively, it may be a vestibule (architecture), vestibule (a s ...

with Corinthian columns. The upper central section is decorated by small arches and bas-reliefs with geometrical motifs. The upper sides have instead twelve niches each, containing statues of the Apostles. Five other Gothic niches are in the central section, with 18th-century statues representing Prudence, Charity, Faith, Hope and Temperance.

Interior

The interior has a nave and two aisles, with double-framed pointed arches supported by Greek marble columns. The transept is absent, while in the rear is a pentagonal apse decorated by paintings by Jacopo Robusti, known as Tintoretto. The altarpiece over the main altar is an ''Annunciation'' by Palma Vecchio. In the apse, either side of the main altar are Tintoretto's ''Adoration of the Golden Calf'', and the ''Last Judgement''. In the upper story of the apse, behind the altar) are the ''Four Cardinal Virtues'', all from 1562 to 1564. This was his parish church and he is buried in the apsidal chapel on the right, along with two of his children.

Sacristy

*Canvas with ''Madonna with Child and Saints'' attributed to school of Paris Bourdon

Choir

*''The Last Judgement'' (1563, right),

*St. Peter's Vision of the Cross (1550–1553) Left, Tintoretto. *Above: ''Cardinal virtues: Justice and Temperance'', half-dome of apse: ''Decollation of St Paul'' (1550–1553), right side of apse,

*Above: ''Cardinal virtues: Prudence and Strength'', Tintoretto *''Annunciation'' (1590), Jacopo Palma il Giovane, from church of Santa Maria Nuova of

Vicenza Vicenza ( , ; or , archaically ) is a city in northeastern Italy. It is in the Veneto region, at the northern base of the Monte Berico, where it straddles the Bacchiglione, River Bacchiglione. Vicenza is approximately west of Venice and e ...

*Above: ''Faith'', Pietro Ricchi Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - choir.jpg, Choir Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Choir - St. Peter’s Vision of the Cross by Tintoretto.jpg, St. Peter's Vision of the Cross by Tintoretto Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Choir - L'Annunciazione (1590) by Jacopo Palma il Giovane (Proveniente dalla chiesa di S.Maria Nuova di Vicenza).jpg, ''Annunciation'' (1590), Jacopo Palma il Giovane Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Choir - The Last Judgment by Jacopo Tintoretto.jpg, ''The Last Judgment ''

Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Choir - The beheading of St. Paul.jpg, The beheading of St. Paul by Tintoretto Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Choir The faith by Pietro Ricchi.jpg, The faith by Pietro Ricchi

Right Nave

The first chapel on the right contains an altarpiece of ''St John Baptist with Saints Peter, Mark, Jerome, and Paul'', by

Cima da Conegliano Giovanni Battista Cima, also called Cima da Conegliano (), was an Italian Renaissance painter, who mostly worked in Venice. He can be considered part of the Venetian school (art), Venetian school, though he was also influenced by Antonello da ...

. The painting was commissioned by the Saraceno dal Zio family, who were wealthy spice merchants. *Sculpture of ''Madonna with Child'', attributed to Antonio Rizzo *''St Christopher Martyr'', copy of original by

*Altar of Immaculate conception: built in 1593 to accommodate miraculous statue now in Cappella San Mauro *Monument to Gerolamo Cavazza by Giuseppe Sardi (1624–1699) *''Martyrdom of St Lorenzo'' by Daniel van den Dyck. *''Presentation of Virgin at Temple'' (1550–1553),

. Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Nave right side - Madonna col Bambino by Antonio Rizzo.jpg, ''Madonna with Child'', by Antonio Rizzo Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Right side of the nave - John the Baptist among the saints Peter, Marco, Jerome and Paul by Cima da Conegliano 1495.jpg, ''St John Baptist with Saints Peter, Mark, Jerome, and Paul'' Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Right side of the nave - Saint Christopher by Cima da Conegliano (copy).jpg, Altarpiece of ''St Christopher'' Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Altar of the Immaculate Conception (1593).jpg, Altar of Immaculate conception Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Monument of Girolamo Cavazza.jpg, Monument to Gerolamo Cavazza Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, by Daniel van den Dyck.jpg, Martyrdom of St. Lawrence, by Daniel van den Dyck Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Presentation at the temple of the Virgin (1552-1553) by Tintoretto.jpg, ''Presentation of Virgin at Temple''

St Mauro Chapel: The San Mauro Chapel contains the statue from which the church derives its name. The ''Presentation in the Temple'' is located over the entrance to the San Mauro chapel in the south aisle, close to the east end. *''St Leonardo Murialdo'' (1983) Ernani Costantini *''Madonna with Child and St Mauro abbott'', Antonio Molinari. *''Pieta'', copy of work by

Savoldo Giovanni Girolamo Savoldo, also called Girolamo da Brescia (c. 1480–1485 – after 1548), was an Italian High Renaissance painter active mostly in Venice, although he also worked in other cities in northern Italy. He is noted for his subtle use ...

Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel St Mauro.jpg, St Mauro Chapel Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel St Mauro - Statue of Madonna dell'Orto.jpg, Statue of ''Madonna dell'Orto'' Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel St Mauro Madonna col Bambino e san Mauro abate - Antonio Molinari .jpg, ''Madonna with Child and St Mauro abbott'', Antonio Molinari Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel St Mauro - Pietro I Orseolo.jpg,

Pietro I Orseolo Pietro I Orseolo Camaldolese, OSBCam, also known as Peter Urseulus, (928–987) was the Doge of Venice from 976 until 978. He abdicated his office and left in the middle of the night to become a monk. He later entered the order of the Camaldolese ...

Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel St Mauro - Lorenzo Giustiniani.jpg, Lawrence Giustiniani Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel St Mauro - Antonio Correr.jpg, Antonio Correr Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel St Mauro - San Tiziano, vescovo di Oderzo.jpg,

Titian of Oderzo Saint Titian of Oderzo () was a 7th-century bishop of Opitergium (Oderzo), in the Province of Treviso. Titian was born to a noble family of Eraclea (Grisolera) in the Veneto region, and served as a deacon and priest to Florian (Florianus), bishop ...

Left of main Nave

There are four funerary chapels built on the left side of the church, which house the remains of four of the most important Venetian patrician families. Valier Chapel: The Renaissance Valier Chapel once housed a small ''Madonna with Child'' by

Giovanni Bellini Giovanni Bellini (; c. 1430 – 29 November 1516) was an Italian Renaissance painter, probably the best known of the Bellini family of Venetian painters. He was raised in the household of Jacopo Bellini, formerly thought to have been his father, ...

(1481), stolen in 1993. *''Madonna with Child'' (1480)

(copy) Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Valier.jpg, Chapel Valier Bellini Madonna.JPG, ''Madonna with Child'' (1480)

Vendramin Chapel: *''Arcangel Raphael and Tobias'' (1530)

Titian Tiziano Vecellio (; 27 August 1576), Latinized as Titianus, hence known in English as Titian ( ), was an Italian Renaissance painter, the most important artist of Renaissance Venetian painting. He was born in Pieve di Cadore, near Belluno. Ti ...

, now in sacristy of San Marziale *Painting of ''St Vincent with saints Domenic, Lorenzo Giustiniani, Elena and Pope Eugenius IV'' by Jacopo Palma the Elder. Figures of Saint Helena and St Domenic inserted during restoration in 1867 by Placido Fabris Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Vendramin.jpg, Vendramin Chapel Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Vendramin - Arcangel Raphael and Tobias by Titien.jpg, Arcangel Raphael and Tobias by Titien Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Vendramin- san Vincenzo fra i santi Domenico, Lorenzo giustiniani, Elena e papa Eugenio IV .jpg, ''St Vincent with saints Domenic, Lorenzo Giustiniani, Elena and Pope Eugenius IV'' by Jacopo Palma the Elder Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Vendramin - Cristo morto accolto dal Padre e dalle Spirito Santo, la Vergine addolorata e san Giovanni Matha fondatore dei trinitari - Bartolomeo Litterini.jpg, ''Cristo morto accolto dal Padre '' Bartolomeo Litterini Morosini Chapel: *''The Nativity and Saint Dominic'' Domenico Tintoretto *''Angels bearing incense'', Domenico Tintoretto *''Crucifixion'', Jacopo Palma il Giovane from church of St Ternita Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Morosini.jpg, Chapel Morosini Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Morosini - Crucifixion by Palma il Giovane.jpg, Crucifixion

Palma il Giovane Iacopo Negretti (1548/50 – 14 October 1628), best known as Jacopo or Giacomo Palma il Giovane or simply Palma Giovane ('Young Palma'), was an Italian painter from Venice and a notable exponent of the Venetian school. After Tintoretto's death ...

Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Morosini - Nativity and Saint Dominic by Tintoretto 1625.jpg, ''The Nativity and Saint Dominic'' Domenico Tintoretto The fourth chapel in the north aisle is the Capella Contarini. Dedicated to

Saint Agnes Agnes of Rome (21 January 304) is a virgin martyr, venerated as a saint in the Catholic Church, Oriental Orthodox Churches, Oriental Orthodox Church and the Eastern Orthodox Church, as well as the Anglican Communion and Lutheranism, Lutheran Chu ...

, it contains Tintoretto's ''Miracle of St Agnes'' (1575). Busts of the Contarini line the walls. Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Contarini.jpg, Contarini Chapel Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Contarini - The miracle of Saint Agnes by Tintoretto (1577 ca).jpg, '' The miracle of Saint Agnes''

Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Contarini - Gasparo Contarini (1483-1542) by Danese Cattaneo (ca 1563).jpg, Gasparo Contarini (1483–1542) Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel Contarini - Tommaso Contarini (1488-1578) by Alessandro Vittoria.jpg, Tommaso Contarini (1488–1578) by Alessandro Vittoria *''St Lorenzo Giustiniani and Saints'', altarpiece copy of Il Pordenone original. *''St George and the Dragon'' by

Matteo Ponzone Matteo Ponzone (17th century) was an Italian painter of the Baroque period, active between 1630 and 1700 mainly in Venice. He was a pupil of Santo Peranda. Several of his works are in the churches and public buildings of Venice, particularly in Sa ...

*''Flagellation of Christ'',

*''God the Father in Glory'' (c. 1590) Domenico Tintoretto *''Mystic marriage of Saint Catherine of Alexandria'', School of

Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Chapel of scuola dei Forneri - St Lawrence Giustiniani ands saints.jpg, ''St Lorenzo Giustiniani and Saints'' Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Left side of the nave - St. George slaying the dragon, between St. Jerome and St. Tryphon by Matteo Ponzone.jpg, ''St George and the Dragon'' by

Madonna dell'Orto (Venice) - Left side of the nave - Flagellation of Christ by Matteo Ponzone.jpg, ''Flagellation of Christ'' by Matteo Ponzone The organ over the entrance was built in 1878, and is one of the most powerful in Venice.

Bell tower

The bell tower, in brickwork, was finished in 1503. It has a square plan, with pilasters strips on the sides leading to the cell with circular mullioned windows. Four semicircular tympani divided the cell from the upper cylindrical tambour with an onion dome in Eastern style. Madona del orto clocher.jpg, The bell tower Venice - Churches - Madonna dell'Orto 03.jpg, The bell tower On the sides are four statues of Evangelists of Pietro Lombardo's school; on the summit is a statue of the Redeemer, in white marble. The old bells, the largest being from 1424, were replaced in 1883.

Restorations

The church underwent three main restorations over the course of its existence. In 1399 because of a problem with the North end foundations, a new façade was built and the interiors were redecorated. The building was then used as a stable, hay and wine store, and later as a powder magazine. A poor restoration was carried out in 1841 under Austrian rule, and in 1912 and 1930-31 there were attempts to reverse this Austrian intervention. The most recent restoration was carried out following the 1966 flood, which greatly damaged the church. The side aisles were re-roofed and the old brickwork was replaced. The statues inside the church were cleaned and repaired, as well as the 19th century organ. The restoration works after the flood of 1966 and the new appearance of the building are described in the book ''Restoring Venice: The Church of the Madonna dell'Orto'' by Ashley Clarke and Philip Rylands.

References

External links

Interior of the church

Madonna dell'Orto parish website

{{DEFAULTSORT:Madonna Dell orto Buildings and structures completed in 1464 Churches completed in the 1460s Roman Catholic churches completed in 1503 Roman Catholic churches in Venice 14th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Italy 15th-century Roman Catholic church buildings in Italy Towers completed in the 16th century Gothic architecture in Venice