Venice Tours

Paolo Veronese (1528-1588), alongside Titian and Tintoretto, was responsible for the pinnacle of Venetian painting during the 16th century. Starting in 1555, the artist transformed San Sebastiano into a vivid showcase of his chromatic mastery. Employing diverse techniques, including oil on canvas and wood, as well as fresco and tempera on plaster, Veronese adorned the building’s walls and ceilings with narratives from the Old Testament, the life of Saint Sebastian, and innovative decorative motifs. From 2007 to 2025, Save Venice’s all-encompassing campaign restored nearly every element of the church, including Veronese’s extensive decorative cycle, the eight side chapels, and the facade. Visiting the church with Save Venice’s expert staff is a truly special and exclusive experience, where you will gain behind-the-scenes insight about the valiant conservation efforts that took place and get up close and personal with Veronese’s masterpieces.

The Frari basilica, founded in the 13th century, is Venice’s largest church. Of the many artistic treasures that Save Venice has restored here, the most notable is Titian’s Assumption of the Virgin, known as the Assunta, and its monumental stone frame, which returned to view following a four-year campaign in 2022. Towering more than 22 feet tall, the Assunta is the world’s largest painting on wood panel and among the most influential altarpieces in European art. It is housed in an Istrian stone frame attributed to Lorenzo and Giambattista Bregno and designed in collaboration with Titian. Save Venice has funded the conservation of over a dozen artworks in the church, including Titian’s Madonna di Ca’ Pesaro altarpiece, Donatello’s Saint John the Baptist, Paolo Veneziano’s Doge Francesco Dandolo, the Monument to Doge Francesco Foscari, and Giovanni Bellini’s triptych in the sacristy. A visit with Save Venice’s expert staff is a unique opportunity to dive into the history of these incredible treasures and the captivating work to ensure they are preserved for future generations.

Founded in 1451 by a group of Dalmatians residing in Venice, this lay confraternity is one of the few to have endured through the centuries and remains active to this day. Save Venice’s collaboration with the Scuola began in 2001–2004 with the restoration of its façade, followed by a second treatment of the front and side facades in 2024. Since 2019, Save Venice has funded the ongoing conservation of Vittore Carpaccio’s celebrated narrative cycle (c. 1501-1512) on the ground floor. Visit with Save Venice’s expert staff to see the transformational treatment of Carpaccio’s Calling of Matthew, Agony in the Garden, Vision of Saint Augustine, Saint George and the Dragon, Saint Jerome and the Lion, the Funeral of Saint Jerome, and the Triumph of Saint George and learn more about the history of this fascinating confraternity.