The Church of Santa Maria della Presentazione, better known as the “Chiesa delle Zitelle”, was built on Giudecca in 1581-1588, designed by Andrea Palladio. This church, together with San Giorgio Maggiore and the Chiesa del Redentore, is typical of the Palladian urban development project at the end of the 1500s, the purpose being to renew the southern area of St. Mark’s Basin.

The church has a very special design appearing to lean against and be part of the Casa delle Zitelle behind it (a religious institute founded in 1561 by Venetian noblewomen to offer refuge for young women from humble backgrounds who would otherwise have had no choice but to become prostitutes). The church contains paintings by Palma il Giovane, Ricci and Bassano, plus sculptures by Sansovino and Morlaiter.

1500 - Is. GIUDECCA - rev. 0.1.5