When travelers stand on the Riva degli Schiavoni in Venice and gaze across the lagoon, one sight inevitably steals the show: the gleaming white façade of the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, perfectly framed by the waters and sky. This view, immortalized in countless paintings, photographs, and postcards, embodies the dream of Venice.
Yet few visitors actually cross the canal to set foot on Isola di San Giorgio Maggiore. Those who do discover an island steeped in centuries of monastic history, Palladian architecture, artistic treasures, and cultural life that continues to shape Venice today.
In this article, we’ll take you through the complete story of San Giorgio Maggiore—its past, present, and why it should be on every visitor’s Venetian itinerary.
1. Where Is San Giorgio Maggiore?
San Giorgio Maggiore is located directly across from Piazza San Marco, separated by the wide Bacino di San Marco. Its position gives it one of the most strategic and scenic spots in Venice.
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To the north: the Doge’s Palace and San Marco.
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To the east: the entrance to the lagoon and the Lido.
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To the west: the Giudecca Canal and Giudecca Island.
From San Giorgio, you can see Venice laid out like a stage set—a view so perfect that painters like Canaletto, Guardi, and Turner used it as their backdrop.
2. The Origins of the Island
Like many Venetian islands, San Giorgio began as a low sandbank. By the 10th century, it was settled and named after Saint George, the dragon-slaying Christian martyr.
In 982, the Doge donated the island to a Benedictine order, who would profoundly shape its destiny. The Benedictines built a monastery and church, creating a center of religious, agricultural, and cultural life. Over time, the island became one of the intellectual powerhouses of Venice.
3. Palladio and the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore
The most striking monument on the island is, of course, the Basilica of San Giorgio Maggiore, designed by Andrea Palladio in 1566.
The Façade
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Pure white marble, inspired by classical temples.
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Harmonious proportions, with columns and pediments creating a rhythm that reflects Renaissance ideals of beauty.
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Its shining face, set against the blue lagoon, is one of Venice’s most photographed landmarks.
The Interior
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Vast, luminous, and geometrically balanced.
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Houses masterpieces by Tintoretto, including The Last Supper (1592–94), a dramatic reinterpretation with bold diagonals and chiaroscuro.
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High altar by Girolamo Campagna.
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Palladio’s design created a space of serenity, echo, and grandeur.
The Bell Tower (Campanile)
Rebuilt in 1791 after a collapse, the campanile today offers what many call the best view in Venice. From the top, you see St. Mark’s, the Doge’s Palace, the Grand Canal, the Lido, and the entire lagoon. Unlike the crowded San Marco campanile, San Giorgio’s is quieter and just as spectacular.
4. The Benedictine Monastery
Behind the basilica lies the monastery complex, with its cloisters, library, refectory, and gardens.
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Cloisters: Elegant Renaissance courtyards, perfect examples of monastic architecture.
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The Refectory: once decorated with Veronese’s Wedding at Cana, which Napoleon looted in 1797 and brought to the Louvre. (A full-size copy now hangs in its original place.)
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The Library: centuries of manuscripts, maps, and rare books collected by the monks.
For centuries, San Giorgio was a center of learning. The Benedictines cultivated not only faith but also art, agriculture, and scholarship.
5. The Giorgio Cini Foundation
After the fall of the Venetian Republic and the suppression of monasteries in the 19th century, San Giorgio declined. By the early 20th century, its buildings were in ruins.
Enter Count Vittorio Cini. In memory of his son Giorgio, who died tragically in an airplane crash, he founded the Giorgio Cini Foundation in 1951.
The foundation restored the island’s monastery and turned it into a cultural center of global significance.
Today, the Cini Foundation:
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Hosts art exhibitions, conferences, and music festivals.
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Preserves an extraordinary library and archive.
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Supports academic research in the arts and humanities.
Thanks to the foundation, San Giorgio Maggiore is once again a living island of culture, not just a historical relic.
6. The Borges Labyrinth
One of the most fascinating modern additions to the island is the Borges Labyrinth, inaugurated in 2011.
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Inspired by the writings of Jorge Luis Borges, the labyrinth is a hedge maze with 3,200 boxwood plants, designed by Randoll Coate.
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It reflects Borges’ themes of infinity, mirrors, and choices.
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Walking through it feels like a meditation, a journey both playful and philosophical.
It has quickly become a visitor favorite, blending literature, landscape art, and Venetian serenity.
7. Art and the Venice Biennale
San Giorgio often serves as a venue for art exhibitions linked to the Venice Biennale. Its large spaces, cloisters, and gardens provide a setting away from the chaos of the Giardini and Arsenale.
Visitors may encounter:
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Sculpture gardens.
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Installations in the monastery halls.
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Exhibits on music, photography, and architecture.
This makes San Giorgio a dynamic part of contemporary Venice, not just a historical island.
8. Music and Performance
The island is also a center for music and performance arts.
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The Squero Auditorium: a modern concert hall with views over the lagoon, renowned for chamber music performances.
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Choirs and organ concerts in the basilica.
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Cultural festivals supported by the Cini Foundation.
In many ways, San Giorgio continues Venice’s tradition of uniting art, spirituality, and beauty.
9. The Gardens and Open Spaces
Unlike much of Venice, San Giorgio offers green areas—gardens, orchards, and the labyrinth. This makes it feel more like a retreat than the bustling streets across the canal.
Strolling here, you sense the slower rhythm of monastic life that once defined the island.
10. San Giorgio Today
Today, San Giorgio is a blend of:
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Tourist destination (for the basilica, bell tower, labyrinth).
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Cultural hub (Cini Foundation events, Biennale exhibitions).
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Study center (with institutions dedicated to music, theater, and arts).
It remains peaceful—visited by fewer tourists than San Marco or Murano.
11. How to Visit San Giorgio Maggiore
Practical tips:
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Vaporetto: Line 2 stops at San Giorgio, just 3 minutes from San Zaccaria (near San Marco).
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Opening Hours: Basilica usually open daily, bell tower has its own ticket booth.
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Tickets: Entry to the church is free; the bell tower and labyrinth have small fees.
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Best Time to Visit: Morning (for light in the basilica) or sunset (for lagoon views).
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Combine with: A private boat tour around the Bacino di San Marco and Giudecca.
12. Why You Shouldn’t Miss San Giorgio
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The View: better than San Marco’s campanile.
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The Art: Tintoretto masterpieces, Veronese legacy.
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The Atmosphere: serene, spiritual, inspiring.
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The Cultural Life: living exhibitions, concerts, labyrinth.
It’s the perfect island to escape the crowds yet immerse yourself in the essence of Venice.
13. Conclusion: An Island of Timeless Balance
San Giorgio Maggiore is not just a pretty face in Venice’s skyline—it’s a living island of art, faith, history, and vision.
From Palladio’s basilica to the Cini Foundation’s cultural mission, from Tintoretto’s canvases to the Borges Labyrinth, San Giorgio shows Venice’s ability to reinvent itself while preserving its heritage.
👉 With Tour Leader Venice, you can explore San Giorgio as part of a private boat or walking itinerary, with access to its stories, hidden corners, and cultural treasures most tourists never see.
Because in Venice, the difference between looking and understanding is having a guide who can bring the stones, paintings, and gardens back to life.
