Frari church

n the San Polo district on the main route that connects Piazzale Roma to the Rialto bridge you can found the Convent Church of the Minor San Francesco (called in Venetian dialect “Frari”), built between 1340 and 1443 and consecrated in 1469. Though similar in design, it is dated slightly later then the Church of St. John and St. Paul–perhaps the reason why it is even more ornate and imaginative.The daring facade follows the interior’s spatial arrangement of three naves. Like the bell tower which is topped with a characteristic octagonal head, it is elegantly decorated with pilaster.

Inside the Frari Church it is possible to trace the historical development of Venice and its art from the 13th to the 19th century- in particular you can admire masterpieces by Giovanni Bellini and Titian.