Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The church known as the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, more commonly referred to as the "Frari," can be found in the Campo dei Frari, which is in the center of the San Polo neighborhood in Venice, Italy.It is the city's largest church and is considered a minor basilica.The church is devoted to Mary's Assumption.
The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, more commonly referred to as the "Frari," is a church in Venice, Italy. It is in the Campo dei Frari, which is in the centre of the San Polo neighbourhood.It is the city's largest church and is considered a minor basilica. The church is devoted to Mary's Assumption. One of the city's three notable churches, the impossibly tall brick structure mostly retains its Venetian Gothic appearance. Even on the front facade, the exterior is rather plain, as is typical of many Franciscan churches. The church is home to multiple monuments dedicated to prominent Venetians buried in the church, including a number of Doges and Antonio Canova. The church also boasts numerous paintings including two significant altarpieces by Titian, the Assumption of the Virgin on the High Altar and the Pesaro Madonna.

Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Venice
Scuola Grande di San Rocco
Named after the city’s protector against the devastation of plague, San Rocco is home to marvellous Tintoretto paintings.
Ca’ Rezzonico
This lavishly decorated palazzo houses impressive paintings, sculptures and glassware, preserving the past grandeur of Venetian patrician families.
Campo San Tomà
A small square in Venice, situated in San Polo.
Banksy's mural
The British street artist Banksy, left his mark on the Venice Biennale with a stencil of a migrant child wearing a lifejacket.
San Giacomo dell'Orio
San Giacomo dall'Orio is one of the oldest churches in Venice
Cold Cuts & Cheese
Taste local cold cuts and cheese together with seasonal products of the area.

Related Tours

Venice in a Day: Private Tour including St. Mark's & Doge's Palace
Whether you are a first-time visitor or you want to make the most of your time in Venice, this full-day tour is the perfect opportunity to see the most popular highlights as well as off-beaten-path landmarks. Discover the architectural and artistic highlights of Venice in a day including St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and more!

On your private tour, you will:

  • Visit the centuries-old Venetian market for fruit and fish, that sits along the Grand Canal;
  • See the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge crossing the Gran Canal, famous for its artisans and shops selling jewellery, linens, Murano glass and more; 
  • Explore the picturesque neighbourhood of San Polo, and visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the largest church in the city that boasts masterpieces by Titan, Giovanni Bellini and Donatello as well as the body of Antonio Canova;
  • Discover Campo Santa Margherita, one of the liveliest in the city, filled with bars and restaurants it is a popular hangout spot for the locals;
  • Walk through the Dorsoduro neighbourhood and cross the famed wooden Accademia bridge, which offers two of the most iconic views of the Gran Canal;
  • Take a stroll down the neighbourhood of San Marco home to the Fenice Theatre, the Scala Contarini del Bovolo spiralling "snail" staircase and of course the famed St. Mark's Square;
  • Take in the grandeur of St. Mark's Square and its magnificent buildings, including the Clocktower and the Belltower;
  • Step into St Mark’s Basilica to admire the extensive gold mosaic decorations, and hear the story of how St. Mark's body was laid to rest here after Venetian merchants stole it in Egypt and brought it back to Venice;
  • Visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace, the former seat of the Venetian government and home to the Doge, the highest official of the republic of Venice for more than 1000 years (tickets included);
  • End the tour in a less-touristic area of the city, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where your guide can suggest dining options or can help you get on a Venetian gondola.

This tour is all about making sure you experience the best of Venice in a single day –nearly an impossible task. You will see the world-famous St Mark’s Square— probably one of Italy’s most iconic locations and Venice’s largest urban open space. 

This square is enclosed by the astonishing St Mark’s Basilica and the magnificent Doge’s Palace. Not only will you visit St Mark’s Basilica but also explore the Doge’s Palace, which rises majestically above the waters of the Grand Canal on St Mark’s Square. It remains one of the best examples of Venetian gothic architecture. 

Your guide will be sure to show you the highlights, including the Rialto Bridge, famed as the oldest bridge to cross the Grand Canal, its arcade full of small souvenir shops is the best place to buy beautiful Venetian masks and feathers. 

You will also visit the breathtaking building of the Frari Church, and the Accademia bridge, and expertly navigate the charming alleyways of the neighbourhoods of San Polo, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello. 

At the end of your tour, your guide will be sure to give you expert recommendations on how to spend an evening in Venice –from a gondola ride to the best spots for dinner. 
The Accademia Gallery of Venice: Private Guided Museum Tour
Enjoy a fascinating guided tour of The Accademia Gallery of Venice, one of the most popular and important museums in Venice, followed by a visit to the beautiful Frari Basilica where you'll see masterpieces by Titian, Donatello, Bellini, and the tomb of Canova and enjoy a scenic stroll through the San Polo neighbourhood to the Rialto Bridge. 

On your private tour you will: 

  • Admire some of the most stunning views of Venice from the Accademia bridge, one of only four bridges that span the Gran Canal; 
  • Enjoy a guided tour of The Accademia Gallery, the most important museum for Venetian Paintings and the city's most prestigious art gallery;
  • See paintings by Giorgione, Titian, Canaletto, Bellini, Da Vinci, and more as your expert guide shows you around this treasure trove of a museum;
  • Admire Veronese's vast canvas depicting The Feast in the House of Levi - the largest painting of the 16th century measuring 560cm by 1309cm;      
  • Learn about the brilliance and patriotic significance of Tintoretto's masterpiece the 'Miracle of the Slave' showing Saint Mark - patron saint of Venice - post-humously intervening in the torture of a slave for praying; 
  • Enjoy several splendid masterpieces of Venice by Canaletto - famous for his precise and atmospheric depictions of his home city;
  • Walk into the room reserved entirely for the massive works by Giovanni Bellini - Venice's influential and pivotal Renaissance artist; 
  • Gaze on the complex, multi-layered painting of The Tempest by Giorgione, a milestone painting in landscape and political allegory - and warning;
  • Explore the magnificent Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the largest church in Venice that houses the tomb of Antonio Canova, Venice's beloved neo-classical sculptor; 
  • See extraordinary, priceless masterpieces in their original location, including the mesmerizing Assumption of the Virgin Altarpiece by Titan, the Pesaro Triptych by Giovanni Bellini, and St. John the Baptist by Donatello;
  • Let your guide expertly navigate you through the labyrinth of Venetian streets and see some of the locals' favourite meeting locations, such as Campo Santa Margherita and Campo San Polo especially popular during the Venetian Carnival;
  • Stop at the Rialto bridge, Venice's most famous bridge lined with artisanal Venetian shops - it is one of only four like it in the world;
  • End your tour in the Rialto area, where your guide can suggest a great cicchetteria for a well-deserved snack and a glass of wine or a spritz! 

Meet your private guide on the Accademia Bridge - with stunning views down the Gran Canal of Venice - to begin your fascinating private tour of the famous Accademia Gallery of Venice, followed by a visit to the magnificent Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, usually just called the Frari, and a scenic stroll through the San Polo district - ending by the famous Rialto Bridge. 

The Accademia or Gallerie dell'Accademia is famous for its incredible and extensive collection of Italian Renaissance masterpieces.  Founded in 1766, the Accademia Gallery is home to some of the finest examples of Venetian painting from the 13th to the 18th century, ranging in style from Byzantine, to Gothic to the Renaissance era and beyond. 

The collection tells the story of the evolution of this unique city on the water. It also houses many world-famous Renaissance masterpieces from Leonardo Da Vinci and Giorgione, as well as the crème de la crème of Venetian artists such as Titian, Bellini, Giorgione, and Tintoretto. 

You’ll also see Canaletto, Bellotto, and Longhi from the 1600s. With over 800 paintings, this is Venice’s most important museum of art, a must-see for all art lovers, and lovers of Venice. 

After your tour of the Accademia Gallery, take a short walk to the beautiful Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the largest church in Venice, which boasts masterpieces by Titian, Bellini, and Donatello as well as the tomb of Antonio Canova - the exquisite neo-classical sculptor famous for his stunning sculptures of Cupid and Psyche, Paulina Bonaparte Borghese as Venus Victrix and many others. Canova died in 1822 in Venice and is buried here. 

Afterwards, explore the delightful and vibrant San Polo district and learn about local life in Venice!  San Polo is famous for its many aperitif and 'cicchetti' bars and trendy restaurants, the lively Rialto Market selling fresh produce, and of course the Rialto Bridge - possibly the most photographed bridge in Venice famous for being lined with shops and artisanal stalls - it is also the oldest bridge that crosses the Gran Canal, connecting San Polo with San Marco. 
 
Your tour ends in the Rialto area, where your guide will be happy to make recommendations for 'cicchetti'! 
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