San Nicolò al Lido

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San Nicolò al Lido is a church in Venice, northern Italy. It is located in the northern part of Venice's Lido, and houses the relics of St. Nicholas, patron of sailors (shared with Bari). Here is celebrated the traditional thanksgiving mass of the Sposalizio del Mare ("Marriage of the Sea").

The complex is held by the Franciscan order.

[edit] History

The convent and the church, located to its main access ot the sea, date to the origins of the independent Venice, in the early Middle Ages. From here, in 996, 998 and 1000, sailed off the first expeditions against the Narentines and the Dalmatians, which, under Doge Pietro II Orseolo, led to the submission of Dalmatia to the republic of Venice.

The Doge Domenico Selvo was crowned here in 1071.

[edit] Architecture and art

The church, with a single nave, is annexed to a convent and a cloister, all dating to the 16th century. The Baroque campanile was erected in 1626-1629.

The façade is surmounted by a statue of Doge Domenico Contarini, who patronized the convent.

The interior houses works by Palma il Vecchio (Madonna with Child) and Palma il Giovane (San Giovannino).