Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari, often called the Frari, is a large brick church in the San Polo district of Venice. It is one of the few churches in the city that still looks mostly Venetian Gothic. The exterior is plain, but inside you find many grand tombs and important artworks, including two large altarpieces by Titian.

Don't miss

• The only rood screen still in place in any church in Venice.
• Titian's 'Assumption of the Virgin' on the high altar.
• Titian's 'Pesaro Madonna' in a side chapel.
• Donatello's figure of St. John the Baptist, his first documented work in Venice.
• The tomb of Antonio Canova, based on his own design for an unrealized Titian tomb.
• The tomb of Paolo Savelli, the first Venetian monument with an equestrian statue.

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

Cheapest way inVetreria Guarnieri Murano experience4.4★ · 29 travelers20 minutesFree cancellationFrom$12 per personSee dates →Best full dayVenice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour4.8★ · 4,539 travelers4-6 hoursFrom$129 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleVenice Must See Attractions Walking Tour With A Guide4.7★ · 113 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$41 per personSee dates →

Getting there

Know before you go

• The church is a minor basilica and a parish church in the San Polo district.
• The interior holds many important works of art, including paintings by Titian, Giovanni Bellini, and Donatello.
• Many notable Venetians are buried here, including Doges, Titian, and composer Claudio Monteverdi.

A bit of history

The Franciscans built a monastery and church here starting in 1231. The current church took over a century to build, with work starting under Jacopo Celega and finishing under his son Pier Paolo. The campanile, the second tallest in Venice after St. Mark's, was completed in 1396. The church was consecrated in 1492. Titian, the famous painter, is buried here.