Campo Sant'Aponal Square

Campo Sant’Aponal, a deconsecrated church in the heart of the Rialto

A few minutes from the Rialto Bridge, the Campo Sant’Aponal is a good example of those small campi where the history of Venice can be read as much in a deconsecrated religious building as in the much more modest elements of the old urban landscape.
It takes its name from the ancient parish church that borders it. Sant’Aponal is the Venetian form of Sant’Apollinare, Saint Apollinaris of Ravenna. The parish is attested from 1034 and its foundation is traditionally attributed to the Scievola and Rampana families, who came from Ravenna and wished to honor the patron saint of their city of origin. Having become a collegiate church in 1400, the church was largely rebuilt in the Gothic style in the 15th century. Its ancient Romanesque bell tower was restored in 1407 and received its octagonal drum at that time.

The sober Gothic façade retains an interesting marble bas-relief above the portal. Its history is complex: when the church was reopened in the 19th century, the portal from the church of Sant’Elena was installed there. It was returned to Sant’Elena in 1929 and replaced by the Gothic relief currently visible, which had previously been walled up in the apse of Sant’Aponal and whose older provenance remains unknown.

The campo also deserves attention for its vera da pozzo, the ancient well-head characteristic of Venetian squares. Cylindrical and carved from Istrian stone, it rests on a circular base with two steps. A medallion, now defaced, once bore a Lion of Saint Mark. These wells supplied the inhabitants with fresh water thanks to underground cisterns that collected and filtered rainwater, before the modern network was installed.

Visiting tips

The campo is freely accessible and easily reached from the Rialto. The church is closed for worship and does not have regular public visits; however, its Gothic façade, the bas-relief, the bell tower, and the well-head can be observed from the campo.

Sources and further information

SIUSA - Parrocchia di Sant’Apollinare, Venezia ; Conoscere Venezia - Campo Sant’Aponal ; Conoscere Venezia - Pozzo di Campo Sant’Aponal.