Chiesa di San Nicolò dei Mendicoli
Chiesa di San Nicolò dei Mendicoli
Chiesa di San Nicolò dei Mendicoli
4.5
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The area
Neighbourhood: Dorsoduro / Accademia
Artsy is the defining mood of this neighbourhood with street artists, students, painters, sculptors, restorers, curators, historians, collectors, heirs and heiresses rubbing elbows. Peggy Guggenheim's collection, now a museum, lures chic locals for evening art aperitifs. Traditionalists and visionaries cocoon in bohemian luxury. La Salute basilica buttresses the neighbourhood to the east. Gondolas bob in the morning light. The Accademia Bridge crosses the Grand Canal. A back street doubles as basketball court. Palaces house residents, or like Ca' Foscari a university, or a museum like Ca’ Rezzonico that attracts Venetians for concerts. Dorsoduro reveals its industrial roots too, in buildings converted to house university departments or exhibitions. Campo Santa Margherita bursts with youthful energy from local students. Foot traffic bustles to and from Piazzale Roma and Santa Lucia train station. Evening commuters pause for an aperitivo. Neighbours exchange confidants in a campo (square) on their way to market.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
145 reviews
Excellent
106
Very good
36
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
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cironigri
Modena, Italy31 contributions
Aug 2021 • Couples
Beautiful almost unknown church, in front of the University of Architecture.
Great wood carving with gold leaf. Elegant frescoes and excellent paintings.
This church is so little visited that no entrance fee is requested, unlike for most places in Venice.
A must see.
Great wood carving with gold leaf. Elegant frescoes and excellent paintings.
This church is so little visited that no entrance fee is requested, unlike for most places in Venice.
A must see.
Written 3 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tony b
5,208 contributions
Aug 2023 • Friends
While touring the city we came across this truly special church.
A hidden jewel far from traditional tourist itineraries.
If it has a bewitching and evocative appearance on the outside, inside it is something extraordinary with statues, frescoes and highly prestigious decorations!
To be seen !
A hidden jewel far from traditional tourist itineraries.
If it has a bewitching and evocative appearance on the outside, inside it is something extraordinary with statues, frescoes and highly prestigious decorations!
To be seen !
Written 9 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Golfing-Steve
Lewes, UK555 contributions
Mar 2015 • Couples
San Nicolo is a beauty. A real chocolate box of a church and one that very few tourists ever visit when in the city because it is way off the regular tourist route of the Rialto and Piazza San Marco. So, if you really want to discover something about Venice, ditch the gondola ride and head for this 7th century church in western Dorsodouro.
It has been poverty that has kept this church unspoilt as the people in this area were traditionally sailors and fishermen although do not think that they were beggars as the word mendicoli implies. The small porch at the front of the church, incidentally one of the last surviving on the lagoon, was intended to give shelter to the poor, although these were as often as not mendicant nuns, known locally as pinzochere, as they were homeless beggars.
San Nicolo was the parish church of the artisan group known as Nicolotti who would wage savage battles on bridges on public holidays against their dreaded rivals, the Castellani, who were mostly based on the northern and eastern side of the Grand Canal, many of whom worked in the Arsenal producing the warships that were crewed by the Nicolloti. When you cross a bridge in Venice that has a marble footprint in each corner you are crossing one of the old ponte dei pugni, or fighting bridges, of the Venetian middle ages.
The pillar outside the Church with the lion of St Mark in its top was where the Doge of the Nicolloti was traditionally chosen.He wore a red robe on ceremonial occasions and even had his own quarters within the Doge's palace.
Inside the church there is a statue to San Nicolo (Saint Nicholas) on the high-altar, where traditionally there are paintings. It dates back to the 15th century and shows the patron saint of fishermen with three golden balls on his lap. These golden balls were, according to legend, given to three impoverished maidens who would otherwise face a life of prostitution. The story goes that the three best looking girls would each walk off with a golden ball!
The rest of the church shows just how much the locals, poor or not, loved the place with its richly decorated interior. The fact that there was not much money available meant that the church could not be drastically altered, so what we see today is still examples of work undertaken in the 12th century and improvements made in the 14th century.
In short a wonderfully historic church that remains one of the best and least visited by any but the locals. If you love Venice make sure that you take time out to go there, and please leave a generous donation for this is still not a wealthy area.
It has been poverty that has kept this church unspoilt as the people in this area were traditionally sailors and fishermen although do not think that they were beggars as the word mendicoli implies. The small porch at the front of the church, incidentally one of the last surviving on the lagoon, was intended to give shelter to the poor, although these were as often as not mendicant nuns, known locally as pinzochere, as they were homeless beggars.
San Nicolo was the parish church of the artisan group known as Nicolotti who would wage savage battles on bridges on public holidays against their dreaded rivals, the Castellani, who were mostly based on the northern and eastern side of the Grand Canal, many of whom worked in the Arsenal producing the warships that were crewed by the Nicolloti. When you cross a bridge in Venice that has a marble footprint in each corner you are crossing one of the old ponte dei pugni, or fighting bridges, of the Venetian middle ages.
The pillar outside the Church with the lion of St Mark in its top was where the Doge of the Nicolloti was traditionally chosen.He wore a red robe on ceremonial occasions and even had his own quarters within the Doge's palace.
Inside the church there is a statue to San Nicolo (Saint Nicholas) on the high-altar, where traditionally there are paintings. It dates back to the 15th century and shows the patron saint of fishermen with three golden balls on his lap. These golden balls were, according to legend, given to three impoverished maidens who would otherwise face a life of prostitution. The story goes that the three best looking girls would each walk off with a golden ball!
The rest of the church shows just how much the locals, poor or not, loved the place with its richly decorated interior. The fact that there was not much money available meant that the church could not be drastically altered, so what we see today is still examples of work undertaken in the 12th century and improvements made in the 14th century.
In short a wonderfully historic church that remains one of the best and least visited by any but the locals. If you love Venice make sure that you take time out to go there, and please leave a generous donation for this is still not a wealthy area.
Written 11 April 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Johny
Ohio City, OH42 contributions
Jun 2019
An amazing experience, with beautifull paintings and walls full of history, the workers there were also great
Written 16 May 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
spiinyynorman
Gabriola Island, Canada95 contributions
Nov 2019
A hidden gem in a less-travelled part of the city. Located at an intersection of 3 canals and fronted by a peaceful Campo, it is one of the oldest in Venice. The plain exterior doesn't give any idea of the intricacies of the interior and the art that is contained within.
Written 26 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nigel661
Crediton, UK5 contributions
Jul 2016 • Couples
Reputed to be one of the oldest churches in Venice, but in a fairly remote and quiet part of Dorsoduro. Nevertheless, a sumptuous interior: mediaeval columns supporting richly carved and gilt renaissance arches alternating with statues, and surmounted by the usual Venetian bounty of large paintings. Quite spectacular and well woth a trip out to this quiet and beautiful part of the city.
Written 23 July 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Perry G
Blairgowrie, UK397 contributions
May 2014 • Family
This church is a must see, I go to Venice every year and have visited it more than once. It is very different inside to the other churches in Venice but I will not describe it as you will have to visit it. It takes a little to find it as it is well off the usual tourist routes but that is not a bad thing as it will give you another perspective of Venice. You will get lost but that is the beauty of Venice as you will see things that most other tourists will not see. Just ask the locals and they will point you in the right direction. Please note that it is only open certain hours of the day and that the entrance to the church is through the portico. Go and find it and marvel as its beauty!!
Written 18 February 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
N R
64 contributions
Oct 2019 • Family
This was the first Church/Gallery that we visited and it was the BEST. It's quite out of the way, some distance from the main attractions, but was worth the walk. It's in a much quiet area of Venice - it was nice to get away from the crowds. No photos allowed but you can buy postcards for 0.5 euro (effectively a small donation, well worth it) It's free to enter. It was not busy. Really lovely, just a nice feel to it. Would highly recommend.
Written 12 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
trippingferret
Kent, UK232 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
San Nicolo is possibly best known as the church that features in the movie 'Don't Look Now'. At the time of filming it was being restored under the aegis of 'Venice in Peril' and visiting today it is gratifying to see what a wonderful job they did.
It's situated far from the normal tourist trails around Venice (although only a ten minute walk from the Frari) and is all the better for that. A 'real' neighbourhood that repays a visit - quiet, time-worn, characterful.
The church itself has an unspectacular exterior, but inside it is richly decorated and very beautiful. Visit and enjoy its tranquility all by yourself, then step outside and let yourself become lost in the narrow alley-ways that lead eventually back to the heart of the city.
It's situated far from the normal tourist trails around Venice (although only a ten minute walk from the Frari) and is all the better for that. A 'real' neighbourhood that repays a visit - quiet, time-worn, characterful.
The church itself has an unspectacular exterior, but inside it is richly decorated and very beautiful. Visit and enjoy its tranquility all by yourself, then step outside and let yourself become lost in the narrow alley-ways that lead eventually back to the heart of the city.
Written 24 September 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tess vb
London, UK173 contributions
Jan 2017
Far from the crowd, far from regular tours, a wonderful church that will touch you.i think it has a special spell.
Written 17 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
What are the opening times ? I stood before a closed door already. Grazie
Written 3 June 2023
Is there a fee to visit the church?
Written 24 June 2019
Hi. No there is no fee. However there is a collection box inside the Church where you can leave a donation. There is also a small booklet available to buy which is all about the history of the Church [cost 3 euro I think?] and it was quite an interesting read.
Written 2 July 2019
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