Sant' Andrea della Zirada is the pleasant little gothic church directly in front of the Piazzale Roma vaporetto stop for the 6 line; the one overshadowed, literally, by the elevated tram line running alongside it and, figuratively, by one's concerns about getting wherever one is going from Piazzale Roma. After being used as a private studio for some time by a sculptor, it was finally reopened to the public last spring as the site of an exhibition of refrigeration technology used for art preservation (http://www.genteveneta.it/public/articolo_gvnews.php?id=3004).
The sight of a man at work in the church last week (see image above) made me hope it might soon host another exhibit--though he didn't tell me anything specific when I quickly leaned in the slightly open door and asked him about it on my way somewhere else. At present I'm in Rome, but perhaps can find out more when I return next week.
For much more about this church--which, like the church of San Nicolò dei Mendicoli was once situated at the western extreme of the city, with open views of the lagoon and mainland--please visit the fine Churches in Venice website (http://www.slowtrav.com/2011/03/sant_andrea) or the equally interesting Churches of Venice website (http://www.churchesofvenice.co.uk).
Added 12 November: And for a lot more images of the interior of the church, freshly posted (and taken last May), please visit the informative Hello World blog: https://ytaba36.wordpress.com/2015/11/11/this-is-for-annie/.
I was mighty excited to be able to gain access to this church in May. I had lurked a few times in the past, but never did find it open, even when it served as the art studio.
ReplyDeleteWouldn't it be nice if something else is going to happen there?
And, will this be the year we find the La Maddalena hosting presepi? I shan't wager any money, but hope springs eternal, or something foolish like that.
I hope something else will be going on there, Yvonne. Maybe it will become a more regular for exhibitions, which I suppose will be a good thing--though I liked the idea of it as a studio...
DeleteThanks so much for sharing this peek inside. It makes me happy when long-closed churches like this open for various reasons (refrigeration technology?!?). It also makes me very happy to see that it still looks like a church inside! Cheers, Annie
ReplyDeleteAnnie, I'll post some photos from the interior, from May this year, on my blog ... just for you.
DeleteYou're welcome, Annie, and thank you for providing such an excellent overview of the church on your blog. Definitely still looks like a church inside--as we can now all see thanks to Yvonne.
DeleteMe again, just wanted to make sure that you know that your blog is recommended in the newly published Smithsonian Journeys Travel mag - both online and in the print edition (which just arrived and I plan to begin reading this weekend!).
ReplyDeletehttp://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/venice-resources-before-you-go-list-recommendations-180956931/
Thanks very much for the alert, Annie. That's a very pleasant surprise. And I just saw a copy of the print edition and it looks like an interesting issue, with a lot more than just run-of-the-mill travel pieces on where to shop.
Delete. . . and the 2016 editions of the Rough Guide to Venice & the Veneto and the Pocket Rough Guide to Venice are now at the printers - your blog is recommended in both books.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much, JCB, for letting me know about this. I remembered you mentioning it might or would be whenever the new edition came out. I look forward to seeing the guides themselves (and not just for the mention).
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