Chiesa di Sant'Andrea

The beautiful Church of San Andrea Apostolo is the oldest religious building in Chioggia, and as a bell tower it has a medieval watchtower dating back to the mid-10th century, which preserves the oldest functional clock tower in the world, made by family Dondi, famous watch manufacturers. The church is located along the main street in Chioggia, Corso del Popolo. The first traces of this building date back to the 10th century, in the Byzantine style with a Latin cross plan, divided into three naves by a series of pillars. At the time of the transfer of the episcopal seat from the island of Malamocco to Chioggia in 1110, the church of Sant'Andrea became the episcopal church, which housed the relics of the patron saint of San Felice and San Fortunato, until the completion of the extensions in the church of the Nativity of Mary, which subsequently became a cathedral. The present church of S. Andrea was built in 1743, after the collapse of the apse on the nearby church of San Giacomo in 1739, and therefore the church of S. Andrea also suffered many significant damages, and needed restoration. The facade is in baroque style. The interior is beautiful with many significant works of art by famous masters, among which seven magnificent altars stand out. Inside, the baptistery is attributed to Sansovino, while the most significant work of art is a canvas depicting the Crucifixion of the great Venetian master Palma il Vecchio. The ceiling and part of the walls are painted with various fresh and dry techniques, performed by different artists between the 19th and 20th centuries, with decorations and references to the naval and fishing world of the Venetian lagoon. The central nave is adorned with geometric and naturalistic motifs and with Latin letters in large letters that recall the events of San Andrea. In the central nave, inside three medallions, it is possible to see The Call, the Martyrdom and the Glory of San Andrea, made by Giuseppe Cherubini in 1929.

Beautiful church

Among the most important sacred buildings in Chioggia is the Church of Sant'Andrea, which overlooks Corso del Popolo. The monument was built in the 18th century, remodeling a pre-existing 15th-century church. According to local sources, a church existed on the site as early as the 7th century, and its layout has always been maintained throughout the various buildings. The façade of the Church of Sant'Andrea is Baroque. The richly decorated interior is airy and luminous thanks to its decorations. The baptistery inside the monument was likely created by Sansovino, while the beautiful canvas of the Crucifixion that can be admired is the work of Giovanni Buonconsiglio, also known as Marescalco. Also worth seeing are the canvas of Saint Andrew by Antonio Marinetti, known as Chiazzotto, several works of art by Giuseppe Cherubini, and a gilded wooden statue dating back to the 16th century. Next to the Church of Sant'Andrea, you can admire the Bell Tower of Chioggia.

The Church of Saint Andrew the Apostle is the oldest religious building in the city of Chioggia and has a medieval watchtower as its bell tower, dating back to around the mid-10th century, which houses the oldest working tower clock in the world. It is definitely worth a visit, with a beautiful interior.

Its first construction probably dates back to around the year 1000, on the ruins of a Roman-Byzantine building, and was rebuilt in the 18th century. It often housed the relics of the Cathedral of Chioggia, when it was undergoing restoration. Inside are seven Baroque-style altars and many works of art from earlier periods. Its bell tower was originally a watchtower and a lighthouse, and houses the oldest working tower clock in the world (it rivals the clock in Salisbury Cathedral). It is used for demonstration purposes during some visits.