The Scuola Grande di San Marco, located in the Campo di San Giovanni e Paolo in the Castello district Venice, is an incredible building and institution that was once one of the six, “great schools,”, or, “scuole grandi,” of Venice. This confraternities were an important part of Venetian religious, civic and cultural life and the riches of its appearance reflect this, with its might marble facade and stunning interiors.
Founded in 1260 in the district of Santa Croce, the institution moved to a new building in Campo Santi Giovanni e Paolo in 1437 and, after a fire, a new and more elaborate building was commissioned in 1485 and constructed under the guidance of architects Pietro Lombardo and his sons Tullio and Antonio. The building was completed in 1797 but the scuola was suppressed by Napoleonic decree. In 1808, it and the adjacent Hospital of San Lazzaro dei Mendicanti became a military hospital and, in 1819, it became the civic hospital of Venice. This remains its primary function to this day.
However, it is also home to a small, but exceptional, little medical museum. On display are examples of equipment used for gynaecology, trepanation, amputation, and other medical practices, from the 19th and 20th century and earlier. In addition, the museum is home to over 8,000 medical tomes, including works by ancient physicians like Galen and Hippocrates, the Persian text Avicenna’s Canon, and the writings of anatomist James Berenger. These feature illustrations of common diseases and illnesses and their treatments at the time. Bear in mind, however, that the labels are all in Italian.
Despite this, the museum is still fascinating and the space itself is extraordinary with the original main chapter room boasting paintings from an original decorative cycle by Domenico Tintoretto and Palma il Giovane. Costing five euros to enter, many say it was a surprise highlight and well-worth the fee. If you have found a vacation rental in Venice and are looking for things that are a little off the beaten tourist track, it is ideal!
However, it is also home to a small, but exceptional, little medical museum. On display are examples of equipment used for gynaecology, trepanation, amputation, and other medical practices, from the 19th and 20th century and earlier. In addition, the museum is home to over 8,000 medical tomes, including works by ancient physicians like Galen and Hippocrates, the Persian text Avicenna’s Canon, and the writings of anatomist James Berenger. These feature illustrations of common diseases and illnesses and their treatments at the time. Bear in mind, however, that the labels are all in Italian.
Despite this, the museum is still fascinating and the space itself is extraordinary with the original main chapter room boasting paintings from an original decorative cycle by Domenico Tintoretto and Palma il Giovane. Costing five euros to enter, many say it was a surprise highlight and well-worth the fee. If you have found a vacation rental in Venice and are looking for things that are a little off the beaten tourist track, it is ideal!
Photo credit: G.dallorto