- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- Hospital For The Incurable In Venice Zattere Pavement

Hospital For The Incurable In Venice Zattere Pavement
Along the wonderful Zattere pavement in Dorsoduro there is a building with interesting forms: the Hospital for the Incurable.
It was founded in 1517 by San Gaetano of Thiene to give hospitality to men and women suffering from what was then called the French disease: syphilis. At that time there was no adequate therapeutic means to combat this terrible venereal disease, so in fact, the building welcomed the incurable.
In 1560 a church was built in the middle of the present courtyard, which was in this way fragmented into four small triangular courtyards. The current four wellheads located on the sides represent evidence of the original allocation of space. In 1572 the building was rebuilt by Antonio Da Ponte on a design by Antonio Zertani and Jacopo Sansovino. The portal was also designed by Da Ponte, and was originally intended for one of the rooms of the Doge's Palace. In 1527 the noble Girolamo Miani became head of the hospital. He also added to the hospital a shelter for abandoned children; girls who had musical talent could become singers and their concerts were organized every Saturday in the church, which had an oval shape precisely for acoustic reasons.
Following the Napoleonic edicts of 1806 the hospital for the Incurable was closed. In 1819 it was adapted to artillery barracks and to increase the interior space, the church that stood in the centre of the courtyard was completely destroyed. During the 1900s it became the citizen Reformatory, but it was later closed and unused for a long period.
Today the building, after careful restoration, houses the Academy of Fine Arts.
If you want to know more curious places in Venice, our skilled guides will be happy to show you a lesser-known Venice ... away from the usual tourist routes there is a whole city to discover! Book now one of our private tours and dive into the magic of this extraordinary and timeless city!
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Venice: What happened on May 16 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Boldo (St. Ubald Bishop) a church was dedicated to the Sain...
ViewVenice: What happened on May 1 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, today’s Saints are Sts. Philip and James, Apostles and Saint Scholastica, of whom ther...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 25 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Mark, Evangelist, Patron Saint of Venice It is the First Fea...
ViewVenice: What happened on April 20 in Venice

Almanac of Venice
According to the Venetian Liturgical Calendar, the Saint of the Day is St. Victor. - April 20, 1797: capture of the French friga...
ViewTop posts
Venice: 10 songs that will make you think of Venice

Did you know that...
Sometimes we hear the first few lines of a song and our minds are suddenly transported back to a place, a memory or a dream. We put tog...
ViewPadua: Vò Euganeo: a place to be discovered

Unknown places & works
In the last few months there has been much talking around the small town of Vò, in the province of Padua. It was at the center of ever...
ViewVenice: 10 must-see movies filmed in Venice

Film Locations
Venice is unique amongst world cities and every year it turns into a dream-like experience for scores of tourists thanks to its timeles...
ViewChioggia: The Valley of the Seven Dead Men

Mysteries & Legends
Halloween is just around the corner: have you already got into the fascinating terrifying aura of the scariest party of the year? No ye...
View