San Pietro di Castello

Open: Mon-Sat: 10-17. €3.
Map

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Castello (also once known as Olivolo), at the eastern end of the city, was the first island to be inhabited by settlers from the original lagoon communities. In 775 a bishopric was founded here and a church, which had been erected in the 7th century, was rebuilt and dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle. 

After several restorations, San Pietro di Castello (San Isepo in Venetian) was again rebuilt at the end of the 16th century. In 1596 the façade was completed, in the Palladian style, by Franco Smeraldi. In 1619 work began on the interior under the architect Gian Girolamo Grapiglia. The church was completed two years later and takes the form of a Latin Cross. The nave is flanked by side aisles and the crossing is surmounted by a cupola. The large chancel is flanked by side chapels. The free-standing high altar was designed by Longhena (1649) and comprises the tomb of Saint Lorenzo Giustinian, the first patriarch of Venice. 

The campanile, which has a pronounced inclination, was rebuilt by Mauro Codussi between 1482 and 1488. It is the only Venetian bell tower to be completely faced with Istrian stone. 
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San Pietro di Castello

Campanile