Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Named after the city’s protector against the devastation of plague, San Rocco is home to marvellous Tintoretto paintings.

TravelCurious Tip

A little off the beaten track, this scuola is a great choice if you’re looking for a slightly more peaceful Venetian experience.

Of Venice’s six great guilds, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco is by some way the best preserved. These guilds formed a network of religious brotherhoods which were each dedicated to a particular endeavor, usually involving helping the needy. San Rocco was the patron saint of the plague-stricken, and the scuola dedicated to him was founded in 1478 the wake of a virulent outbreak of the disease in the city.

The guild’s building was not finished until nearly 100 years later, and it now stands grand and proud on the Campo San Rocco, a gleaming edifice of white marble complete with all the intricately carved columns and sweeping arches that characterise 16th century Venetian architecture.


The Best of Tintoretto

Inside, the scuola is comprised of two main halls, the sala terra on the ground floor and the sala superiore on the floor above, together with various smaller chambers. Stepping inside is a treat for art lovers. Every painting here was completed by the Venetian master Tintoretto or his assistants, and all of his most famous works are here. The sala terra contains works depicting the life story of the Virgin Mary, as well as a beautiful portrayal of The Annunciation, while the hall upstairs features vivid paintings of scenes from the Old Testament. The most spectacular of these is the busy Miracle of the Bronze Serpent, whose moody brushstrokes depict so much that on first viewing the panting can be rather overwhelming. It’s rare to find such a comprehensive catalogue of one artists output in one place, and this scuola is a fine example.


Nearby Attractions

See all attractions in Venice
Ca’ Rezzonico
This lavishly decorated palazzo houses impressive paintings, sculptures and glassware, preserving the past grandeur of Venetian patrician families.
Campo San Tomà
A small square in Venice, situated in San Polo.
Banksy's mural
The British street artist Banksy, left his mark on the Venice Biennale with a stencil of a migrant child wearing a lifejacket.
San Giacomo dell'Orio
San Giacomo dall'Orio is one of the oldest churches in Venice
Cold Cuts & Cheese
Taste local cold cuts and cheese together with seasonal products of the area.
Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari
The church known as the Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, more commonly referred to as the "Frari," can be found in the Campo dei Frari, which is in the center of the San Polo neighborhood in Venice, Italy.It is the city's largest church and is considered a minor basilica.The church is devoted to Mary's Assumption.

Related Tours

Venice in a Day: Private Tour including St. Mark's & Doge's Palace

Whether you are a first-time visitor or you want to make the most of your time in Venice, this full-day tour is the perfect opportunity to see the most popular highlights as well as off-beaten-path landmarks. Discover the architectural and artistic highlights of Venice in a day including St. Mark's Basilica, the Doge's Palace, the Rialto Bridge, and more!

On your private tour, you will:

  • Visit the centuries-old Venetian market for fruit and fish, that sits along the Grand Canal;
  • See the Rialto Bridge, the oldest bridge crossing the Gran Canal, famous for its artisans and shops selling jewellery, linens, Murano glass and more; 
  • Explore the picturesque neighbourhood of San Polo, and visit the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, the largest church in the city that boasts masterpieces by Titan, Giovanni Bellini and Donatello as well as the body of Antonio Canova;
  • Discover Campo Santa Margherita, one of the liveliest in the city, filled with bars and restaurants it is a popular hangout spot for the locals;
  • Walk through the Dorsoduro neighbourhood and cross the famed wooden Accademia bridge, which offers two of the most iconic views of the Gran Canal;
  • Take a stroll down the neighbourhood of San Marco home to the Fenice Theatre, the Scala Contarini del Bovolo spiralling "snail" staircase and of course the famed St. Mark's Square;
  • Take in the grandeur of St. Mark's Square and its magnificent buildings, including the Clocktower and the Belltower;
  • Step into St Mark’s Basilica to admire the extensive gold mosaic decorations, and hear the story of how St. Mark's body was laid to rest here after Venetian merchants stole it in Egypt and brought it back to Venice;
  • Visit the magnificent Doge’s Palace, the former seat of the Venetian government and home to the Doge, the highest official of the republic of Venice for more than 1000 years (tickets included);
  • End the tour in a less-touristic area of the city, Campo Santa Maria Formosa, where your guide can suggest dining options or can help you get on a Venetian gondola.


This tour is all about making sure you experience the best of Venice in a single day –nearly an impossible task. You will see the world-famous St Mark’s Square— probably one of Italy’s most iconic locations and Venice’s largest urban open space.

This square is enclosed by the astonishing St Mark’s Basilica and the magnificent Doge’s Palace. Not only will you visit St Mark’s Basilica but also explore the Doge’s Palace, which rises majestically above the waters of the Grand Canal on St Mark’s Square. It remains one of the best examples of Venetian gothic architecture.

Your guide will be sure to show you the highlights, including the Rialto Bridge, famed as the oldest bridge to cross the Grand Canal, its arcade full of small souvenir shops is the best place to buy beautiful Venetian masks and feathers.

You will also visit the breathtaking building of the Frari Church, and the Accademia bridge, and expertly navigate the charming alleyways of the neighbourhoods of San Polo, Dorsoduro, San Marco and Castello.

At the end of your tour, your guide will be sure to give you expert recommendations on how to spend an evening in Venice –from a gondola ride to the best spots for dinner. 

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