Scuola Grande San Giovanni Evangelista di Venezia Concerts 2024

The Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista is a confraternity building located in the San Polo sestiere. Founded in the 13th century by a group of flagellants it was later to become one of the six Scuole Grandi of Venice. The Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista is among the oldest and most prominent of the Venetian scuole, religious confraternities that sponsored acts of charity and were ultimately responsible for much of the city’s greatest Renaissance and Baroque artwork. The Scuola San Giovanni, established in 1261, derived its stature from both the significance of its religious artifacts (beginning in 1369 the scuola housed a fragment of the True Cross) and the quality of the art and architecture found within its building. Their main buildings were typically used as meeting and assembly halls, and for the distribution of charity. In 1369 Philip de Mezières (also known as Filippo Maser), the Chancellor of the Kingdom of Jerusalem and the Kingdom of Cyprus, gave to the school a piece of the True Cross which it still owns to this day. The presence of this relic brought about a transformation and helped the scuola become a rich and powerful organisation, bringing in wealthy and powerful members to the confraternity, with their donations and bequest. The building was renovated in the 15th century, when the institution commissioned the architect Mauro Codussi (also known as Coducci) to construct a double staircase for the scuola, and Gentile Bellini and Vittore Carpaccio contributed to a series of paintings describing the True Cross. In the 18th century, the building underwent renovation, this time with portions of the Sala Maggiore remodeled to improve lighting. In 1806 Napoleon abolished all Venetian scuole, removed much of the sculpture and paintings housed within the Scuola San Giovanni, and appropriated the institution’s Holy Relic. The artifact was eventually returned to a nearby church, and the scuola reopened in 1929. The school is defined externally by the open air atrium or courtyard, separated from the city by a marble screen of (1478–81) by Pietro Lombardo. Though appearing harmonious the courtyard is the work of several different periods. The facade of the main scuola dates from the 1450s but incorporates two small reliefs from 1349. Lombardo's Renaissance screen comprises Corinthian pillars, a semi-circular pediment with St John's eagle and a frieze carved with foliage. This gateway was, until the school's dissolution, barred by double doors. The main door to the scuola was added in 1512 and features a lintel with kneeling figures. Opposite the buildings of the scuola stands the scuola's small church also dedicated to St. John the Evangelist.

It was amazing building with design and painting on a giant scale. Having an event in there made it more lively than a museum tour. In its heyday it was a busy place.

Magical. I wasn't sure how Queen would work with candles and violins, but I was amazed at by the actual finished product. The audience was so spellbound that without even realizing, we were all reverently, quietly, singing . Pure magic!

Location stupenda!

Absolutely loved this place. ❤️