The story of Santa Maria della Salute
In 1630 a terrible plague killed a large part of Venice's population. The city vowed to build a church to the Virgin Mary if the plague ended. Architect Baldassare Longhena designed this great octagonal basilica, consecrated in 1687.
Its white dome is one of the most recognisable shapes on the Venice skyline. The sacristy holds paintings by Titian and Tintoretto.
