Santa Maria della Carità

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The church (and monastery) of Santa Maria della Carità was founded in the 12th century, but rebuilt in the middle of the 15th century by regular Lateran canons from Lucca.

​The interior comprised a broad aisle-less nave with an open timber truss roof. There were three stone-vaulted polygonal chapels at the east end, the central one forming the chancel. Most of the decorative stonework was carved by Bartolomeo Bon. 

In 1768 the order was suppressed and in 1807 both church (and monastery) became the venue for the Accademia delle Belle Arti, which had been founded in 1750.  A mezzanine floor was inserted, dividing the church into two. The lower floor was used for teaching studios, while the upper one was for display. 

The campanile collapsed on March 17th, 1741, and was never rebuilt. ​

Santa Maria della Carita

Santa Maria della Carità by Canaletto, 1730-33

An etching of Santa Maria della Carità by Luca Carlevaris, 1703