San Pietro di Castello

Only a view visitors get lost „enough“ to finish here in San Pietro di Castello.

Actually a pity, as the Basilica is really worth a visit; not only because of its very idyllic park, but also because of its history.

The beginning

When the city of Venice started to develop in the lagoon, San Pietro di Castello was already a bishop’s see (775 until 1451) under the patriarch of Grado. It then became the see of the patriarch until 1807, when the St. Mark’s Basilica was accorded this honour.

The first church to see daylight in this very same place was consecrated to the Saints Sergio and Bacco, whilst the second church, built in the very same place under the bishop Magno in the 9th century, was consecrated to Saint Peter.

Today‘s facade was built by Francesco Smeraldi (end of the 16th/beginning of the 17^th century) who based his work on a project of the famous architect Andrea Palladio (1556).

In the right nave you will find a rather particular object

The seat of Saint Peter in Antioch. According to a legend, the Holy Grail was hidden in this very same seat (to bring it safely to Europe; it was then kept by Fredrik II in Puglia) that was probably built in the 13^th century using an Arabic sepulchral stele (thus the inscription taken from the Koran).

Venezia: San Pietro di Castello Seggio — Venezia: San Pietro di Castello – Seggio

Furthermore, Vivaldi received his ordination to the priesthood here.

Have you noticed the beautiful Renaissance style clock tower?

It was built by Mauro Codussi (1482-90) and stands out because of the material that was used to built it (Istrian stone). How many clock towers have you seen in Venice that were completely built in this material?