San Rocco

Venetian plague church from 1489, dedicated to Saint Roch, next to the Scuola Grande

The church of San Rocco in Venice stands on the Campo San Rocco in the sestiere of San Polo, right next to the celebrated Scuola Grande di San Rocco. It was built between 1489 and 1508 as a place of devotion for a pious brotherhood dedicated to caring for plague victims – Saint Roch of Montpellier was venerated as the patron against the disease. The current baroque facade dates from 1765 to 1771, designed by Bernardino Maccarucci. San Rocco is one of five Venetian votive churches built after outbreaks of plague, and is a member of the Chorus Association, which grants access to Venice's most important church interiors.