The statue of the woman who saw death in the Church of Saints John and Paul in Venice

In the Castello district in Venice there is the beautiful Church of Saints John and Paul, built by the Doge Jacopo Tiepolo at the end of 1200s. Over the centuries it has become 'the Pantheon of the Doges' for the numerous tombs of famous people of the Republic that have been built.

Among other monuments there is one attached to a strange legend, that of the painter Melchior Lanza in the chapel of Mary Magdalene (which also houses the monument to the hero of the war of Chioggia, Vettor Pisani).

The tomb is decorated by a beautiful sculpture by the sculptor Melchior Bartel which,  officially, represents Melancholy. There is also another version ...

Legend has it that the statue represents a beautiful and vain woman who lived only for her appearance; one day, mirroring herself, instead of her usual image, she saw a horrible old lady near her death...  thereby realizing that this was the fate that awaited her and thus she died instantly!

Many places in Venice are related to mysteries, legends and anecdotes ... Reading the post of our section you can find many other interesting stories, all written by our brilliant guide Francesca, who, on request, organizes private guides tours to discover a more unusual and hidden Venice!