Chiesa di San Lio

Parish church in Castello with over a thousand years of history, radically renovated in neoclassical style in 1783.

San Lio is one of Venice's oldest parish churches – the first church on this site in the Castello district is thought to date back to the 10th century. The building was rebuilt several times over the centuries and underwent a radical neoclassical renovation in 1783. It stands east of the Rialto Bridge on its own small campo. The exterior is plain; the interior was remodelled in the 18th century. For visitors interested in Venetian layered architecture – a thousand years at one address – San Lio is a quiet example.