Santi Giovanni e Paolo: Chapel of the Rosary

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The Chapel of the Rosary was the seat of the Scuola del Rosario, which was founded in 1575 to mark the naval victory over the Turkish fleet at the Battle of Lepanto on October 7th, 1571. The battle had been won on the Feast Day of the Rosary and, so it was believed by the victors (a coalition of nations, including Venice), through the support of the Madonna of the Rosary, hence the chapel's dedication.

There is a bronze statue of Sebastian Venier, one of the Venetian heroes of the battle, outside the entrance to the chapel. As the victory was enormously significant for the Venetians, no expense was spared in its decoration. However, much of this was lost (including a very famous painting by Titian of St Peter Martyr) when a fire broke out in the chapel on August 16th, 1867.

The splendid paintings by Veronese, which now adorn the space, were transferred here from the church of the Umiliati, when the latter was demolished. ​

The marble altar with gilded dome has been attributed to both Alessandro Vittoria and Girolamo Campagna. The statues of prophets and sibyls, which adorn the walls, are by Alessandro Vittoria. 

The wooden benches were carved by Giacomo Piazzetta (1698).