The historic Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, a medieval landmark in Venice, has been sold. After serving as a religious site for over a thousand years, the building has for decades been used as a movie set and exhibition space.
Founded in the 10th century, the Abbey of Misericordia is one of the oldest churches in Venice. The first trace of a church in the area dates back to the year 936, attributed to the de Giuli and Moro families. In the 13th century, the building was revolutionized in Gothic style, abandoning the original Byzantine structure. The Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia, from the 14th century, erected two of its own headquarters, a hospital and dwellings in the vicinity.
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Abbey of Misericordia. Photo courtesy of Lionard
In 1659, architect Clemente Molli, assisted by Baldassare Longhena, remade the facade in Baroque style. This features, above the main door, the bust of the patron – the aristocrat and philosopher Gasparo Moro – surrounded by allegorical figures sculpted by Molli himself. The church also contained a painting by Paolo Veronese and a cycle by Tintoretto. During the Napoleonic era, in 1806, the Scuola della Misericordia was suppressed, the church was stripped and turned into a military warehouse, and the monastery, already in a state of disrepair, was demolished. Later, in 1890, the building was used as a lazaret.
Abbey of Misericordia. Photo courtesy of Lionard
The last mass inside the church was celebrated on August 17, 1967, and on March 28, 1973 it was officially deconsecrated by a decree signed by the then Patriarch Albino Luciani, future Pope John Paul I.
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In the 1980s, the Misericordia Abbey was used as a movie set for international productions, including “Moonraker” starring Roger Moore as the dashing Agent 007, and “Vampire in Venice” starring Klaus Kinski as the fearsome blood-thirsty Count. The building has also been a setting for art exhibitions, gala dinners, musical events, performances, workshops, lectures, and an exhibition space for the La Biennale di Venezia.
Abbey of Misericordia. Photo courtesy of Lionard
The interior of the deconsecrated church consists of a single nave with a gabled roof and covers 350 square meters. The outer stone facade is dominated by a centered gable and surrounded by two trabeated wings, with the statue of the Virgin on the top of the pediment and two allegorical statues of Charity and Fortitude on the high plinths.
Abbey of Misericordia. Photo courtesy of Lionard
The property includes three additional exclusive spaces: the Chapel Club, an old side chapel transformed into a sophisticated space with a 1930s flair; the Archives, two versatile post-industrial rooms; and the Clos, an intimate walled vineyard. The Venetian-Byzantine bell tower and the 14th-century bas-relief depicting the Madonna and Child remain as the last reminders of the original structure.
Abbey of Misericordia. Photo courtesy of Lionard
The sale was handled by Lionard Luxury Real Estate and represents a significant transaction in the Venetian real estate market. The identity of the buyer has not been released, but they are connected to Etnia Barcelona, a Spanish eyewear brand.
The historic Church of the Abbey of Misericordia, a medieval landmark in Venice, has been sold. After serving as a religious site for over a thousand years, the building has for decades been used as a movie set and exhibition space.
Founded in the 10th century, the Abbey of Misericordia is one of the oldest churches in Venice. The first trace of a church in the area dates back to the year 936, attributed to the de Giuli and Moro families. In the 13th century, the building was revolutionized in Gothic style, abandoning the original Byzantine structure. The Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia, from the 14th century, erected two of its own headquarters, a hospital and dwellings in the vicinity.
In 1659, architect Clemente Molli, assisted by Baldassare Longhena, remade the facade in Baroque style. This features, above the main door, the bust of the patron – the aristocrat and philosopher Gasparo Moro – surrounded by allegorical figures sculpted by Molli himself. The church also contained a painting by Paolo Veronese and a cycle by Tintoretto. During the Napoleonic era, in 1806, the Scuola della Misericordia was suppressed, the church was stripped and turned into a military warehouse, and the monastery, already in a state of disrepair, was demolished. Later, in 1890, the building was used as a lazaret.
The last mass inside the church was celebrated on August 17, 1967, and on March 28, 1973 it was officially deconsecrated by a decree signed by the then Patriarch Albino Luciani, future Pope John Paul I.
In the 1980s, the Misericordia Abbey was used as a movie set for international productions, including “Moonraker” starring Roger Moore as the dashing Agent 007, and “Vampire in Venice” starring Klaus Kinski as the fearsome blood-thirsty Count. The building has also been a setting for art exhibitions, gala dinners, musical events, performances, workshops, lectures, and an exhibition space for the La Biennale di Venezia.
The interior of the deconsecrated church consists of a single nave with a gabled roof and covers 350 square meters. The outer stone facade is dominated by a centered gable and surrounded by two trabeated wings, with the statue of the Virgin on the top of the pediment and two allegorical statues of Charity and Fortitude on the high plinths.
The property includes three additional exclusive spaces: the Chapel Club, an old side chapel transformed into a sophisticated space with a 1930s flair; the Archives, two versatile post-industrial rooms; and the Clos, an intimate walled vineyard. The Venetian-Byzantine bell tower and the 14th-century bas-relief depicting the Madonna and Child remain as the last reminders of the original structure.
The sale was handled by Lionard Luxury Real Estate and represents a significant transaction in the Venetian real estate market. The identity of the buyer has not been released, but they are connected to Etnia Barcelona, a Spanish eyewear brand.
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