Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
TOP SIGHT
CHIESA DI SAN GIORGIO MAGGIORE
Most visitors only see San Giorgio across the water. It's quite a view - Palladio chose
the white Istrian stone to stand out against the blue lagoon waters, and set it at an
angle to create visual drama while also ensuring that it catches the sun all afternoon.
Palladio's Facade
Palladio's radical 15th-century facade gracefully solved the problem bedevilling Renais-
sance church design: how to graft a triangular, classical pediment onto a Christian church,
with its high, central nave and lower side aisles. Palladio's solution: use one pediment to
crown the nave, and a lower, half-pediment to span both side aisles. The two interlock with
rhythmic harmony, while prominent three-quarter columns, deeply incised capitals and
sculptural niches create depth with clever shadow-play.
