SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN ROCCO
Scuola built in 1516, decorated with frescoes (walls and ceilings) signed by Tintoretto among others.
Home to the devotees of Saint Roch, protector of the plague-stricken, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco was built in 1516 to a design by Bartolomeo Bon. Work, directed by several architects, continued until the end of the 16th century. The interior structure is typical of Venetian scuole: some areas are reserved for brotherhood meetings, while others are dedicated to worship. The walls and ceilings of the upper floor are entirely covered with paintings by Tintoretto. Between 1564 and 1587, Tintoretto, a member of the Scuola, successively decorated the small room of the Albergo, the upper room and the lower room. In 1564, the Scuola launched a competition to choose the painter who would decorate the ceiling of the Sala dell'Albergo. Tintoretto, taking the competition by storm, installed his painting on site and, as a member of the brotherhood, offered it to San Rocco. He won the commission and, for 23 years, adorned the walls and ceilings of the building with works that testify to his mastery of color and light. The Scuola also houses works by other artists, such as Giorgione, Tiepolo and Titian, as well as sculptures by Francesco Pianta (17th century), each more impressive than the last.
Clever tip: to get the best view of the ceilings, pick up a mirror at the entrance to the upper room and move around, contemplating these reflected masterpieces!
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Members' reviews on SCUOLA GRANDE DI SAN ROCCO
The ratings and reviews below reflect the subjective opinions of members and not the opinion of The Little Witty.
Quand vous êtes au premier étage, dans cette grande magnifique salle toute recouverte de peintures, prenez un miroir (il y en a plusieurs en libre-service au fond de la salle, et promenez-vous, très lentement, dans la salle avec le miroir dans les mains pour admirer le plafond. C'est une expérience qui va vous rester dans les yeux et dans le cœur. Et non, ce n'est pas la même chose si vous juste levez le nez (et les yeux) vers le plafond. Je ne sais pas pourquoi, mais c'est à travers le miroir qu'on découvre vraiment la magnificence de ce plafond à couper la souffle.
La visite est assez adaptée aux enfants aussi, car elle assez rapide, il n'y a pas de long queue d'attente (ce qui fait une grande différence quand on voyage avec des enfants et même des ados), et le miroir (s'ils ne sont pas trop petits) va les occuper un peu ;-)