Chiesa di Santa Maria Formosa
Venice
Santa Maria Formosa is a church in Castello, rebuilt in 1492 in Renaissance style. It is linked to the Festa delle Marie, the Festival of the Marys. It remembers the brides that pirates carried off in the Middle Ages.
The full-figured Madonna
According to tradition, the first church was founded in 639, after the Madonna appeared to San Magno. The Virgin looked healthy and full-figured, formosa in Italian.
Today's church dates from 1492. The Cappello family paid for the two façades. The one on the rio is from 1542, the Baroque one on the campo from 1604.
The Festa delle Marie
Every 2 February, twelve couples were blessed at San Pietro di Castello. The brides carried the jewels of their dowry in carved wooden caskets, called arcelle.
According to tradition, in 844 or 946 pirates carried off the brides during the ceremony. The Venetians chased them and set them free. From then on, for centuries, the doge visited this church every year.
The campo and the writing on the walls
The campo is one of the widest in the city, lined with palaces, cafés and shops. Close by stands Palazzo Querini Stampalia, now a foundation with a library and a museum.
Look at the walls: the names of the calli, the narrow streets, are hand-painted in a white frame.
