After fighting our way across the Venice Marathon four times, we took a waterbus across the Venetian Lagoon to visit San Giorgio Maggiore, a 16th century Benedictine church and monastery. The first church was built about 790 and in 982 the island was given to the Benedictine order by the Doge at the time. But in 1223, an earthquake destroyed all the buildings on the island.

The current church was built between 1566 and 1610. The church is a basilica in the Renaissance style with its external white marble.

The interior of the church is bright with massive columns. It is, however, relatively simple with mostly white, undecorated walls. The Benedictine monks kept control of the church and did not sell decorating rights to wealthy families which was done in many Venetian churches. The Benedictine monks had income from property so were in a stronger financial position.

We paid an additional fee and took the lift up to the top of the bell tower, or campanile. It was first built in 1467 but fell in 1774 and then was rebuilt in 1791. The views of Venice from the top of the bell tower were super. The next four photos were from the top of the bell tower.

The first one below is looking directly across the Venetian Lagoon. The second photo is to the right of the first photo and the third photo is to the left of the first photo.

Looking down from behind the church, it was interesting to see the monastery. I especially liked their labyrinth.