{"id":12107,"date":"2026-05-17T19:50:56","date_gmt":"2026-05-17T17:50:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/?page_id=12107"},"modified":"2026-06-13T12:33:10","modified_gmt":"2026-06-13T10:33:10","slug":"santi-giovanni-e-paolo-zanipolo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-sights\/santi-giovanni-e-paolo-zanipolo\/","title":{"rendered":"Santi Giovanni e Paolo (Zanipolo) Venice: 25 Doges\u2019 Tombs &#038; Colleoni"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"tv-featured-snippet\"><p><strong>In a nutshell:<\/strong> The <strong>Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo<\/strong> \u2014 &#8220;Zanipolo&#8221; for short in Venetian \u2014 is one of the two largest churches in Venice (alongside the Frari) and the <strong>central mausoleum of the Venetian doges<\/strong>. Built 1333\u20131430 by the Dominicans in monumental brick Gothic. Inside lie <strong>25 doges&#8217; tombs<\/strong> \u2014 the church with the most doges&#8217; tombs in Venice \u2014 plus major works by Giovanni Bellini, Lorenzo Lotto and Veronese. In front of the church, on the campo, stands the famous <strong>equestrian statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni<\/strong> by Andrea del Verrocchio (1480\u201388). An admission contribution is charged (guide value around \u20ac3.50, its own ticket \u2014 not in the Chorus Pass); usual visiting hours Mon\u2013Sat 9:00am\u20136:00pm, Sun 12:00\u20136:00pm. Check prices and times officially in advance.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"tv-affiliate-disclosure\"><p><strong>Note:<\/strong> This page contains affiliate links to our partners GetYourGuide and Viator. If you book, we receive a commission \u2014 at no extra cost to you. Our editorial recommendations are independent of this.<\/p><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"tv-callout-eintritt\" style=\"border:1px solid #c9941e;border-radius:8px;background-color:#fff8ec;padding:16px 20px;margin:24px 0\"><p style=\"margin:0\"><strong style=\"color:#a23838\">\u26a0\ufe0f Important for day visitors 2026:<\/strong> On 60 designated days between 3 April and 26 July 2026 (8:30am\u20134pm each), day visitors aged 14 and over additionally pay \u20ac5 (booked in advance) or \u20ac10 (at short notice). This fee is independent of the Zanipolo ticket. Overnight guests, children under 14 and other officially exempt groups pay nothing \u2014 but depending on the category must register their exemption. \u2192 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-access-fee-2026\/\"><strong>Venice Access Fee 2026 \u2014 calendar and booking<\/strong><\/a><\/p><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Quick overview \u2014 Zanipolo at a glance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"tv-decision-matrix\"><caption>Zanipolo fact box for readers in a hurry and AI systems<\/caption><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Question<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Answer<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Official name<\/td><td>Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo (short: Zanipolo)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sestiere<\/td><td>Northern Castello (12 min from St Mark&#8217;s Square, 10 min from Rialto)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Style<\/td><td>Venetian Dominican brick Gothic<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Built<\/td><td>1333\u20131430<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Doges&#8217; tombs<\/td><td>25 \u2014 the church with the most doges&#8217; tombs in Venice<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Key works<\/td><td>Bellini polyptych (1465), Lorenzo Lotto &#8220;St Antoninus&#8221; (1542), Veronese ceiling in the Cappella del Rosario, the Bragadin mausoleum<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>In front of the church<\/td><td>Verrocchio&#8217;s Colleoni equestrian statue (1480\u20131488) \u2014 freely accessible<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Opening hours<\/td><td>Mon\u2013Sat 9:00am\u20136:00pm, Sun + holidays 12:00\u20136:00pm (special times possible)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Admission<\/td><td>guide value around \u20ac3.50 \u2014 its own ticket, not in the Chorus Pass; check in advance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Length of visit<\/td><td>60\u201390 min (in depth 2 hours)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Vaporetto<\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/line-4\/\">line 4.1\/4.2<\/a> \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/line-5\/\">line 5.1\/5.2<\/a> \u2192 Ospedale (1-min walk)<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Is Zanipolo worth it for your trip?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"tv-decision-matrix\"><caption>Quick decision matrix \u2014 Zanipolo by traveller type<\/caption><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">If you \u2026<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Recommendation<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>\u2026 want to understand the Venetian state<\/td><td>A must \u2014 patrician and ducal funerary culture at the highest density, 25 doges&#8217; tombs in one place<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u2026 are interested in Renaissance art<\/td><td>A must \u2014 the Bellini polyptych, Lorenzo Lotto&#8217;s &#8220;St Antoninus&#8221;, Veronese ceiling paintings<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u2026 love sculpture<\/td><td>A must \u2014 Verrocchio&#8217;s Colleoni equestrian statue stands in front of the church, one of the most important Renaissance equestrian monuments in Italy<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u2026 are a first-time visitor with only 2 days<\/td><td>Better to skip \u2014 St Mark&#8217;s Basilica + Doge&#8217;s Palace + Frari first<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u2026 already know the Frari<\/td><td>A clear recommendation \u2014 Zanipolo is the natural complement, the Dominican counterpart to the Franciscan Frari<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u2026 need to bridge an acqua alta day<\/td><td>Usually easy to reach \u2014 northern Castello lies higher; in strong high water check the level in advance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u2026 are travelling with children<\/td><td>Limited \u2014 the Bragadin story is gripping for older children, the Colleoni horse in front of the church is free<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>\u2026 are travelling on a Sunday morning<\/td><td>Only from 12:00pm \u2014 a service in the morning<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is it called &#8220;Zanipolo&#8221;?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In Venetian, double saints&#8217; names are often shortened to a single word: <em>Zuanne<\/em> (Giovanni\/John) + <em>Polo<\/em> (Paolo\/Paul) = <em>Zanipolo<\/em>. It is the name Venetians normally use. In official Italian the church is called the <em>Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The church is <strong>not<\/strong> dedicated to the apostles John and Paul, but to two little-known early-Christian martyrs, <strong>John and Paul of Rome<\/strong> (4th century) \u2014 officials at the imperial court who were beheaded in 362 under Julian the Apostate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">History: the Venetian pantheon<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Dominicans came to Venice in 1234 and were given a marshy plot in Castello by Doge Jacopo Tiepolo. The church visible today was built between <strong>1333 and 1430<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As early as the 14th century, Zanipolo established itself as the <strong>official doges&#8217; burial church<\/strong>. While the Frari is known as an art church with Titian and Bellini, Zanipolo holds <strong>25 doges<\/strong> \u2014 a good fifth of all 120 doges of the Venetian Republic and the largest concentration in one place. This makes Zanipolo the most important and most extensive doges&#8217; mausoleum in Venice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Architecturally the church is <strong>mendicant-order brick Gothic<\/strong> like the Frari \u2014 a plain exterior, a vast interior with a cruciform plan, a wooden roof, a vaulted apse. Unlike the Frari, however, Zanipolo uses stronger vertical proportions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The most important doges&#8217; tombs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"tv-decision-matrix\"><caption>A selection of the most important doges&#8217; tombs in Zanipolo<\/caption><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Doge<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Term \/ died<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Tomb \u2014 distinctive feature<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Pietro Mocenigo<\/td><td>d. 1476<\/td><td>Wall tomb in the right transept, sculpture by Pietro Lombardo<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Andrea Vendramin<\/td><td>d. 1478<\/td><td>Wall tomb to the left of the high altar, by Tullio Lombardo \u2014 three life-size recumbent figures<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Michele Morosini<\/td><td>d. 1382<\/td><td>Tomb on the right wall, in the Venetian Gothic style<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Sebastiano Venier<\/td><td>d. 1578<\/td><td>Victor of the Battle of Lepanto \u2014 wall tomb with a life-size bronze statue<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Marino Grimani<\/td><td>d. 1605<\/td><td>One of the finest Mannerist doges&#8217; tombs<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>The Loredan, Bragadin, Mocenigo, Marcello, Contarini families<\/td><td>various<\/td><td>All the important patrician families of Venice are represented here<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bragadin mausoleum \u2014 a Venetian tragedy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the southern wall is the mausoleum of <strong>Marcantonio Bragadin<\/strong> (1523\u20131571), commander of the Venetian fortress of Famagusta on Cyprus. After 13 months of Ottoman siege in 1570\/71 he capitulated in return for a promise of safe conduct. That promise was broken: Bragadin was taken prisoner and cruelly executed on 17 August 1571. His remains were later brought back to Venice and laid to rest in the mausoleum in Zanipolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The Battle of Lepanto three weeks after Bragadin&#8217;s death was later interpreted in Venice as revenge for Famagusta \u2014 historically it had other causes (the Holy League, Ottoman expansion in Cyprus), but in Venetian memory the episode remained a central site of remembrance of the Cyprus and Lepanto story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Art masterpieces<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Giovanni Bellini \u2014 polyptych of Vincent Ferrer (1465\u201367)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of Giovanni Bellini&#8217;s most important early works. A multi-part altarpiece in the right aisle, with St Vincent Ferrer as an itinerant preacher at the centre.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Lorenzo Lotto \u2014 St Antoninus (1542)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the left wall of the nave hangs one of Lorenzo Lotto&#8217;s late major works. St Antoninus, Archbishop of Florence, sits before an open loggia and distributes alms to poor women. Lotto&#8217;s characteristic psychological depth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Veronese \u2014 Cappella del Rosario<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The <strong>Rosary Chapel<\/strong> in the left transept was founded as a chapel of thanks after the Lepanto victory of 1571. After the original furnishings were lost in a fire in 1867, the current <strong>Veronese ceiling paintings<\/strong> (Annunciation, Adoration of the Shepherds, Resurrection) were brought into the chapel from other churches in the city.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Other works<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>Lorenzo Bregno and Tullio Lombardo<\/strong> \u2014 Renaissance sculptures on several tombs<\/li><li><strong>The Vivarini family<\/strong> \u2014 early Renaissance panel paintings in the side chapels<\/li><li><strong>The apse stained-glass windows<\/strong> \u2014 by Bartolomeo Vivarini and workshop (1473)<\/li><li><strong>A wooden crucifix by Maffeo Olivieri<\/strong> (16th c.) in the right aisle<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In front of the church: Verrocchio&#8217;s Colleoni equestrian statue<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">On the Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo stands <strong>Andrea del Verrocchio&#8217;s equestrian statue of Bartolomeo Colleoni<\/strong> (1480\u20131488). After <strong>Donatello&#8217;s Gattamelata in Padua<\/strong> (1453) it is the second great equestrian statue of the Italian Renaissance \u2014 in a line with the ancient Marcus Aurelius equestrian statue in Rome.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bartolomeo Colleoni (1395\u20131475) was one of the most famous mercenary commanders (condottieri) of the 15th century and served the Republic of Venice. His will left the city a large sum of money \u2014 on condition that an equestrian statue be erected to him &#8220;in the Piazza San Marco&#8221;. The Republic solved the problem legally: it erected the statue not in the Piazza San Marco but in front of the <em>Scuola Grande di San Marco<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Verrocchio died in 1488 before completing the bronze-casting phase. His pupil Alessandro Leopardi completed the cast (1493).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The former Ospedale building: Codussi&#8217;s Renaissance fa\u00e7ade<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Directly to the left of the church stands a building with an unusually elaborate white fa\u00e7ade \u2014 the former <strong>Scuola Grande di San Marco<\/strong> (1495\u20131505), designed by <strong>Mauro Codussi<\/strong> and Pietro Lombardo. Today the building is part of the city hospital. Note the <em>trompe-l&#8217;\u0153il<\/em> perspectives of the entrance portals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Practical information<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<table class=\"tv-decision-matrix\"><caption>Practical information for Zanipolo (as of spring 2026)<\/caption><thead><tr><th scope=\"col\">Item<\/th><th scope=\"col\">Details<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Address<\/strong><\/td><td>Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo, Castello 6363, 30122 Venice<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Sestiere<\/strong><\/td><td>Northern Castello (12-min walk from St Mark&#8217;s Square)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Opening hours<\/strong><\/td><td>Mon\u2013Sat 9:00am\u20136:00pm, Sun + holidays 12:00\u20136:00pm (varies on church feast days, Christmas and Easter)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Admission<\/strong><\/td><td>guide value around \u20ac3.50 \u2014 its own ticket, not in the Chorus Pass; check current prices in advance<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Children<\/strong><\/td><td>under 12 usually free, check concessions on site<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Vaporetto<\/strong><\/td><td><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/line-4\/\">line 4.1\/4.2<\/a> \/ <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/line-5\/\">line 5.1\/5.2<\/a> \u2192 Ospedale (1-min walk)<\/td><\/tr><tr><td><strong>Colleoni statue<\/strong><\/td><td>freely accessible, on the square at any time<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">When to go<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Best time of day:<\/strong> weekday mornings between 9:00 and 11:30am. <strong>Sunday:<\/strong> Mass in the morning \u2014 tourist access only from 12:00pm. <strong>Length of visit:<\/strong> realistically 60\u201390 minutes for the main attractions, 2 hours for an in-depth visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Zanipolo during acqua alta<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Northern Castello lies higher than many areas around San Marco \u2014 the Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo is usually easy to reach in typical acqua alta conditions. In strong high water, however, the campo, the entrances, individual paths or lower-lying side chapels can be affected; the vaporetto stop and services can also be affected. How much the visit is restricted depends on the level, wind, air pressure and the current protective measures. Check current level and traffic information before your visit \u2014 for example via our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/acqua-alta-venice\/\">acqua alta page with live water levels<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Combination recommendations<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><strong>The Colleoni statue<\/strong> on the campo in front \u2014 before or after, free.<\/li><li><strong>The Scuola Grande di San Marco<\/strong> (Codussi fa\u00e7ade) \u2014 right next door, view from outside.<\/li><li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-sights\/scuola-di-san-giorgio-degli-schiavoni\/\">Scuola degli Schiavoni<\/a> \u2014 an 8-min walk south, the Carpaccio painting cycle.<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-museums\/querini-stampalia\/\">Querini Stampalia<\/a> \u2014 an 8-min walk to the south-west.<\/li><li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-sights\/frari\/\">Frari church<\/a> \u2014 the natural counterpart in San Polo.<\/li><li>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-sights\/scuola-grande-san-rocco\/\">Scuola Grande di San Rocco<\/a> \u2014 the complete Tintoretto cycle, on the same day as the Frari.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guided tours \u2014 Castello, Republic history, the Renaissance<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Zanipolo is especially suited to Castello walks and to tours about Republic history \u2014 the doges&#8217; pantheon, the Bragadin episode, the Colleoni statue. Renaissance and Bellini tours also like to include Zanipolo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<aside class=\"tv-reisebuero-cta\"><h3>Book Castello and Renaissance tours with Zanipolo<\/h3><p>Guided Castello walks, Renaissance and art tours with a Zanipolo stop, plus skip-the-line combinations (Frari, Doge&#8217;s Palace, Republic history) are available from our affiliate partner GetYourGuide:<\/p><p><a class=\"tv-button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.getyourguide.com\/en-gb\/venice-l35\/?partner_id=9C421&#038;q=Santi%20Giovanni%20e%20Paolo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener\">Zanipolo and Castello tours on GetYourGuide<\/a><\/p><\/aside>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently asked questions about Zanipolo<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<section class=\"tv-faq\">\n\n<details><summary><strong>How long does a visit take?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>Realistically 60\u201390 minutes for the main attractions \u2014 the 25 doges&#8217; tombs, the Bragadin mausoleum, Bellini&#8217;s Vincent Ferrer polyptych, Lorenzo Lotto&#8217;s &#8220;St Antoninus&#8221; and the Veronese ceiling paintings in the Cappella del Rosario. If you really want to read the doges&#8217; tombs, allow 2 hours \u2014 with 25 tombs each with its own family history, that is a mini history tour in itself. For a quick highlights visit (Bellini + Bragadin + the Colleoni statue in front of the church) 45 min is enough. Combines well with the Frari as a mendicant-order counterpart (in San Polo).<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>What is the difference between Zanipolo and the Frari?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>Both are large brick mendicant-order churches from the 14th\/15th century with doges&#8217; tombs \u2014 but with different emphases. The <strong>Frari<\/strong> (San Polo) is the Franciscan church and is famous above all for Titian&#8217;s &#8220;Pala dell&#8217;Assunta&#8221; on the high altar (1518, a turning point in Venetian painting), the Bellini triptych in the sacristy and the Canova pyramid tomb. <strong>Zanipolo<\/strong> (Castello) is the Dominican church and the central doges&#8217; mausoleum of Venice with 25 doges&#8217; tombs \u2014 a good fifth of all the Republic&#8217;s doges. Architecturally similar, art-historically complementary: the Frari for Titian, Zanipolo for political history and Renaissance sculpture (Tullio Lombardo, Pietro Lombardo).<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>Is Zanipolo included in the Chorus Pass?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>No. Santi Giovanni e Paolo is not part of the Chorus association (the Chorus churches are a separate group, incl. the Frari, Madonna dell&#8217;Orto, San Sebastiano, Santa Maria dei Miracoli). Zanipolo is looked after by the Dominicans and has its own ticket; the admission contribution is, as a guide value, a few euros (around \u20ac3.50). Current prices, concessions and whether any pass cooperations currently apply should be checked before your visit directly at the ticket desk or on the official church site.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>Where is the Colleoni equestrian statue?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>On the Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo directly in front of the church, freely accessible and free at any time. The statue by Andrea del Verrocchio (1480\u20131488, the bronze cast completed in 1493 by Alessandro Leopardi) is considered one of the most important equestrian statues of the Italian Renaissance \u2014 alongside the ancient Marcus Aurelius in Rome and Donatello&#8217;s Gattamelata in Padua. Bartolomeo Colleoni had stipulated in his will that the statue should stand &#8220;in the Piazza San Marco&#8221; \u2014 the Republic circumvented the condition by erecting it in front of the <em>Scuola Grande di San Marco<\/em>, the confraternity house next to Zanipolo. Best photo position: at an angle from the front, with the Codussi fa\u00e7ade as a backdrop.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>What happened to Marcantonio Bragadin?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>Marcantonio Bragadin was commander of the Venetian fortress of Famagusta on Cyprus. After 13 months of Ottoman siege he capitulated in 1571 in return for a promise of safe conduct. The Ottoman commander Lala Mustafa Pasha broke the promise; Bragadin was taken prisoner and cruelly executed on 17 August 1571 (he is recorded as having been flayed). His remains were brought back to Venice in 1580 and now rest in a lead urn in the Bragadin mausoleum on the south wall of Zanipolo. In Venetian memory the episode became closely linked with the Cyprus and Lepanto story \u2014 the Battle of Lepanto three weeks after Bragadin&#8217;s death was seen by later historians as revenge.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>Is the doge of the Battle of Lepanto buried here?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>Yes. <strong>Doge Sebastiano Venier<\/strong> (1496\u20131578), who as admiral led the Venetian fleet at Lepanto in 1571 and became doge in 1577, has a bronze wall tomb in Zanipolo. Lepanto was the battle between the Holy League (Venice, Spain, the Papacy) and the Ottoman fleet on 7 October 1571 \u2014 the largest galley battle in history and a turning point in Ottoman expansion in the Mediterranean. Venier&#8217;s wall tomb shows him as a life-size bronze figure in admiral&#8217;s armour. The Cappella del Rosario in the left transept of Zanipolo was founded as a chapel of thanks after the Lepanto victory \u2014 with the current Veronese ceiling paintings (brought in from other churches after the 1867 fire).<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>Is Veronese&#8217;s &#8220;Marriage at Cana&#8221; here?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>No \u2014 the original hangs in the Louvre in Paris, where it was taken by Napoleon in 1797 (it was originally painted for the refectory of San Giorgio Maggiore). Zanipolo does, however, have three <strong>Veronese ceiling paintings<\/strong> in the Cappella del Rosario in the left transept: the Annunciation, the Adoration of the Shepherds and the Resurrection. The pictures were brought to Zanipolo from other churches in the city after an 1867 fire in which the Rosary Chapel lost its original furnishings. Stylistically classic Veronese, with dynamic composition and his characteristically light palette.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>Who were the most important doges in Zanipolo?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>The 25 doges&#8217; tombs cover about three centuries of Republic history. Particularly important are: <strong>Pietro Mocenigo<\/strong> (d. 1476, a wall tomb with a Pietro Lombardo sculpture, in the right transept), <strong>Andrea Vendramin<\/strong> (d. 1478, a monumental wall tomb by Tullio Lombardo to the left of the high altar \u2014 three life-size recumbent figures, one of the most important Renaissance funerary monuments), <strong>Michele Morosini<\/strong> (d. 1382, a Gothic tomb on the right wall), <strong>Sebastiano Venier<\/strong> (d. 1578, victor of the Battle of Lepanto, a bronze wall tomb) and <strong>Marino Grimani<\/strong> (d. 1605, a Mannerist doge&#8217;s tomb). Plus family mausoleums of the Loredan, Bragadin, Mocenigo, Marcello and Contarini. If you want to understand Republic history, here you have the most condensed gallery of Venetian power.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>Why is the church called &#8220;Zanipolo&#8221;?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>In Venetian, double saints&#8217; names are often shortened to a single word: <em>Zuanne<\/em> (John) + <em>Polo<\/em> (Paul) = <em>Zanipolo<\/em>. That is the usual name in everyday Venetian. In official Italian the church is called the <em>Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo<\/em>. Importantly: the church is not dedicated to the apostles John and Paul, but to two little-known early-Christian martyrs from Rome (4th century) \u2014 officials at the imperial court who were beheaded in 362 under Julian the Apostate. The confusion with the apostles is common but mistaken.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>Am I allowed to take photos?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>In many Venetian churches private photos without flash are allowed, while flash, tripods and photography during services may be prohibited. The exact rules can change \u2014 observe the notices on site and the staff&#8217;s instructions. During Mass (Sunday mornings) photography is generally forbidden. For the doges&#8217; tombs and the ceiling paintings a light telephoto lens helps; the best natural light is in the morning and the early afternoon.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>Is Zanipolo accessible?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>The main hall is comparatively accessible for many visitors with limited mobility via a small ramp at the entrance; the floor is largely flat. The Bragadin mausoleum, the high altar and the Cappella del Rosario are reachable on one level. There are restrictions at individual side chapels with low steps or thresholds, and at higher wall tombs that are only visually accessible. The campo in front of the church is evenly paved; the Colleoni statue is clearly visible from any position. Check current accessibility information and on-site assistance before your visit.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<details><summary><strong>How do I get to Zanipolo?<\/strong><\/summary><div><p>The vaporetto is quickest: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/line-4\/\">line 4.1\/4.2<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/line-5\/\">line 5.1\/5.2<\/a> stop at Ospedale \u2014 a 1-minute walk across the campo to the church. From St Mark&#8217;s Square it is a 12-min walk through Castello via Campo Santa Maria Formosa. From Rialto a 10-min walk eastwards. From Santa Lucia station about 30 min on foot via the Strada Nuova, Cannaregio and Rialto, or by vaporetto line 5.2 to the Ospedale stop. From Marco Polo Airport by Alilaguna to Ospedale (blue line) directly, or by bus to Piazzale Roma + vaporetto.<\/p><\/div><\/details>\n\n<\/section>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Related topics<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/architecture-in-venice\/\">Architecture in Venice \u2014 Dominican brick Gothic, a cruciform plan, the tallest proportions<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/doges-of-venice\/\">The Doges of Venice \u2014 election, residence, burials<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/art-in-venice\/\">Art in Venice \u2014 Titian, Tintoretto, Veronese, Palladio, Bellini<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-churches\/\">Churches &amp; art in Venice \u2014 the 12 most important sacred buildings<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-sights\/frari\/\">Frari church \u2014 the counterpart in San Polo<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-sights\/scuola-grande-san-rocco\/\">Scuola Grande di San Rocco \u2014 the complete Tintoretto cycle<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-sights\/scuola-di-san-giorgio-degli-schiavoni\/\">Scuola Schiavoni \u2014 the Carpaccio painting cycle in Castello<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-museums\/querini-stampalia\/\">Querini Stampalia \u2014 Pietro Longhi &amp; Scarpa architecture<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-museums\/doges-palace\/\">Doge&#8217;s Palace \u2014 the &#8220;residence&#8221; of the doges buried here<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-museums\/museo-storico-navale\/\">Museo Storico Navale \u2014 the Lepanto section<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/vaporetto-venice\/line-5\/\">Vaporetto line 5.1\/5.2 \u2014 to Ospedale<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/acqua-alta-venice\/\">Acqua alta \u2014 live water levels and accessibility<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/venice-access-fee-2026\/\">Venice Access Fee 2026 \u2014 the day-visitor fee<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-small-font-size wp-block-paragraph\"><em>Information as of spring 2026. Please check current opening hours and prices before your visit on the official church site (basilicasantigiovanniepaolo.it).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In a nutshell: The Basilica dei Santi Giovanni e Paolo \u2014 &#8220;Zanipolo&#8221; for short in Venetian \u2014 is one of the two largest churches in Venice (alongside the Frari) and the central mausoleum of the Venetian doges. Built 1333\u20131430 by the Dominicans in monumental brick Gothic. Inside lie 25 doges&#8217; tombs \u2014 the church with [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":11468,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-12107","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12107","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=12107"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12107\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13040,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/12107\/revisions\/13040"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/11468"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.treffpunkt-venedig.de\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=12107"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}