Soft sunlight bathed the mosaic marble titled octagon-shaped floor from the high octagonal-shaped dome of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (C
TSoft sunlight bathed the mosaic marble tiled octagon-shaped floor from the high octagonal-shaped dome of the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute (Church of Saint Mary of Health) in Venice in the Veneto region of northern Italy. The marble-tiled floor has a surface area of 200 square meters and consists of about 4,500 tiles. In the centre of the floor is a suspended hanging lantern with candles, and in the background is the Altar Maggiore (High Altar) and Choir. It is said that this is the spot where the Venetian-born Doge Nicolo Contarin (1629–1631), tossed a few coins to celebrate the inauguration ceremony of the church in 1631. The purpose of building the Church was to celebrate God’s help ending the 1680 plague that claimed thousands of Venetian lives. Baldassare Longhena, Venetian born (1598-1682) was the architect who designed the Basilica. Completed in 1687, it has become one of the most prominent landmarks in Venice.
Size: 4024px × 6048px
Location: Venice, Veneto region, Italy
Photo credit: © richard sowersby / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
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