- you are here: Home
- Hidden Treasures
- Indiana Jones and the church of San Barnaba in Venice

Indiana Jones and the church of San Barnaba in Venice
Venice is the city of cinema not only for its festival, but also because it was the setting of many successful films.
All tourists crossing the busy Campo San Barnaba and looking at the neoclassical facade of the church of the same name, may note that it looks familiar... Why?
In the film ‘Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade' (1989), the church (only the exterior) was used as the setting for an imaginary library. The Campo San Barnaba, in front of the church, was then used to shoot the scene in which the protagonist of the film, after having passed through the (non-existent) underground passages in search of the tomb of one of the keepers of the Holy Grail knights, emerges out of a manhole in the middle of the square, to the embarrassment of the elegant clients of the bar seated at the tables.
In fact, the church of St. Barnabas, of medieval origin but rebuilt in the second half of the 18th century by the architect Lorenzo Boschetti, is still a church to all intents and purposes, although it is currently hosting an exhibition on the machines invented by Leonardo da Vinci.
Pay attention to its thousand year old spire bell tower as it is one of oldest in the city!
Venice is a perfect film set and many directors decided to set their works among its enchanting narrow streets and canals. To discover other film locations in Venice, join the guided Cinema tour of Venice. A fascinating experience to see Venice from another perspective and live again the emotions of the unforgettable scenes filmed in this enchanting city.
- Google+
- tumblr
Search posts
Latest posts
Venice: Veronica Franco: the most talked-about woman in the Serenissima

Big Names
Among the various Venetian female figures of the past, certainly one of the most interesting and, for many reasons also modern, was Ver...
ViewVenice: 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...
ViewTop posts
Chioggia: 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...
ViewVenice: The stone heart of St Mark’s Basilica

Unknown places & works
If you are visiting St Mark’s Basilica and have just abandoned the wonderful vision of the Pala d'Oro (which is a must-see), just a f...
ViewVenice: Map of Venice, what to know before you leave

Did you know that...
Did you know that Venice is not a single large island but rather a collection of 117 small islands linked together by over 400 bridges?...
ViewVenice: The origins of the Spritz cocktail

Local Traditions
Spritz, the typical Venetian aperitif, has nowadays become the iconic cocktail of Happy hour not only in Italy, but all over the world....
View