Madonna dell’Orto Church (Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto) Tours

Don’t be fooled by the understated exterior of Venice’s Madonna dell’Orto Church (Chiesa della Madonna dell'Orto). A  collection of masterpieces by Tintoretto, one of the Floating City’s most important Renaissance painters, hangs inside this 14th-century church. Tintoretto lived near the church in the mid-1500s and was buried here in 1594.

The Basics
You'll find Madonna dell’Orto church located in Venice’s Cannaregio district, the largest and most populated of Venice’s six central districts. Stop by to see religious artwork and pieces from the Italian Renaissance, including 10 masterpieces by Tintoretto (including the famous Presentation of the Virgin Mary in the Temple) and paintings by important Venetian artists such as Giambattista Cima da Conegliano and Giovanni Bellini.

For a full picture of Madonna dell’Orto, join a Cannaregio walking tour that stops at the church, along with other district highlights such as the Jewish ghetto, Renaissance Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Miracoli, and restaurant-lined Fondamenta de la Misericordia. Pair a small-group or private tour of Cannaregio with a gondola ride, a cruise along Grand Canal by motorboat, or a tour of top Venice attractions that includes skip-the-line entrance to St. Mark's Basilica and Doge's Palace.

Things to Know Before You Go

• As Madonna dell’Orto is a place of worship, you must cover your shoulders and knees to enter, and keep your voice low.
• The church is fully accessible to wheelchair users.
• The district of Cannaregio is quieter than neighboring San Marco, and a good place to explore without the crowds of St. Mark’s Square.

How to Get There
The Madonna dell’Orto Church is in Cannaregio district, a short walk from Grand Canal. The nearest vaporetto (ferry) stop is S. Alvise.

When to Get There
Venice’s churches and monuments can be crowded in summer's high-season. Schedule a Madonna dell’Orto tour in early morning or late afternoon if visiting from May to November to enjoy Tintoretto’s masterpieces in relative peace.

The Long History of Madonna dell’Orto
A now-defunct religious order built the Church of the Madonna dell’Orto in the 14th century. In 1787, the city took charge and closed it to the public. The church reopened in 1868. Though officially dedicated to Saint Christopher, it's commonly known as Madonna dell’Orto (Madonna of the Garden), after its Virgin Mary statue. Said to perform miracles, the statue arrived in 1377 and is displayed in the Chapel of Saint Mauro.