Basilica San Marco: Cappella Zen

---

The Cappella Zen was created (1503-22) as a mausoleum for Cardinal Giovanni Battista Zen, who died in 1501. The cardinal bequeathed a large part of his considerable fortune to the Venetian Republic, on condition that he was buried in the Basilica San Marco.

Zen wanted to be buried in the transept of the basilica, but this request was not granted. The spot chosen for his interment was the south end of the narthex, a space which was both inside and outside the basilica. The creation of the chapel led to the walling-in of the Porta da Mar, the entrance to the atrium from the Piazzetta.

The cardinal's sarcophagus was designed by Antonio Lombardo and Pietro Savin and cast into bronze by Pietro Campanato. The same team were responsible for the altarpiece of the Virgin and Child with Saint Peter and Saint John the Baptist.   

The Virgin Mary is sometimes called the 'Madonna della Scarpa', on account of her golden shoe. One day, according to legend, a poor man donated his old shoe to the statue only to see it miraculously transformed into gold. 

The 'Madonna della Scarpa' is the work (1506) of Antonio Lombardo. 

Cappella Zen

Sarcophagus of Cardinal Zen

Madonna della Scarpa