Auditorium Santa Margherita (Venice)

Early medieval church on Campo Santa Margherita, now a university auditorium

The church of Santa Margherita in the Dorsoduro sestiere is one of Venice's oldest religious buildings, possibly dating back to the 9th century. Originally dedicated to Saint Margaret of Antioch, one of the Fourteen Holy Helpers, it was secularised during the Napoleonic era. Since then the building has served various secular purposes and today functions as an auditorium and event space for the University of Venice. Visitors passing through the lively Campo Santa Margherita find here a quiet contrast to the busy square outside.