Chiesa di San Salvador

Renaissance church on Venice''s Mercerie shopping street, first consecrated by Pope Alexander III in 1177, with a unique triple Greek-cross plan.

San Salvador is a Renaissance church on the Campo San Salvador in Venice''s San Marco sestiere, located directly on the Mercerie, the city''s historic main shopping street. The church was first consecrated in 1177 by Pope Alexander III, shortly after his reconciliation with Emperor Frederick Barbarossa at nearby San Marco. The present building dates from around 1508, begun by Giorgio Spavento and completed by Tullio Lombardo and others. Its distinctive plan – three Greek crosses placed end to end, each topped with a dome and lantern – makes the interior unusually bright and spacious.