Santa Maria Formosa

A Renaissance church by Mauro Codussi (1492) on the lively Campo Santa Maria Formosa in Venice's Castello sestiere.

Santa Maria Formosa is a Renaissance church in the Castello sestiere, set on the lively square of the same name — one of the most animated campos in eastern Venice. Its current form was designed by Mauro Codussi in 1492, built over a predecessor church dating from the 7th century. The name Formosa refers to a legend in which the Virgin Mary appeared to Bishop San Magno in the guise of a beautiful woman. The church has no grand showcase facade — you need to know the square to find it.