Santa Maria dei Derelitti

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The church of Santa Maria dei Derelitti was built between 1662 and 1672 by Giuseppe Sardi and the somewhat bizarre façade was added by Baldassare Longhena in 1674. 

Santa Maria dei Derelitti was a charitable institution, one of the four Ospedale Maggiori, or Great Hospitals. It was also known as the Ospedaletto (little hospital), as it was the smallest of the four. In addition to looking after the destitute, the Ospedaletto, which was founded in 1528, took in abandoned and unwanted children. While the boys were taught a trade, the girls were taught music to a very high level of proficiency.

​The Ospedaletto was the first of the four institutions to have a girl's choir, who would perform in the church behind grilles. Beyond the courtyard, at the back of the church, is the Sala della Musica, an oval-shaped music room, which was built by Matteo Lucchessi in 1777. Decorated with delightful frescoes by Jacopo Guarana and Agostino Mengozzi Colonna, the Sala della Musica was used to entertain distinguished guests. The Ospedaletto had a very high reputation for musical excellence, particularly in the 18th century. Its last musical director was Domenico Cimarosa (1749-1801)

The building of Santa Maria dei Derelitti was funded by a legacy from Bartolomeo Carnioni, owner of a draper's shop on the Merceria di S. Salvador. We can see Carnioni's portrait bust in the centre of the façade. 

Santa Maria dei Derelitti

Bartolomeo Carnioni

Santa Maria dei Derelitti