San Zulian

Map. 

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The church of San Zulian (San Giuliano) was originally founded in the 9th century, but subsequently altered on several occasions. The classical façade of Istrian stone was constructed between 1553 and 1554 by Jacopo Sansovino. It was completed in 1570 by Alessandro Vittoria. 

Above the portal sits a bronze statue of Tommaso Rangone, a rich physician and benefactor of the church. The sculpture was once thought to be the work of Sansovino, but has now been attributed to Alessandro Vittoria. 

The interior of San Zulian is made up of a nave, which is wider than it is long, and a chancel with a chapel at either side. The central panel of the elaborately carved and gilded wooden ceiling is by Palma il Giovane and depicts Saint Julian in Glory. Palma il Giovane also painted the Assumption over the second altar on the right. To either side of the altar stand sculptures of Daniel and Saint Catherine of Alexandria, the work of Alessandro Vittoria.  

Over the first altar on the right is a painting of Saints Mark, James and Jerome with the Dead Christ borne aloft by Angels, a late work (1581/2) by Veronese. Saint Jerome is very probably a portrait of the donor. 

The heavily decorated chapel to the left of the chancel belonged to the Scuola del Santissimo Sacramento, whose main responsibility was the burial of the dead. The stuccoes (1582) are the work of Francesco Smeraldi, a contemporary of Alessandro Vittoria.  

The first altar on the left of the church has a painting of the Madonna Enthroned with Saints, the work of Boccaccio Boccaccino. ​

San Zulian

Bronze statue of Tommaso Rangone