On the occasion of the 1600th anniversary of Venice, the Dominican community of “Basilica Santi Giovanni Paolo” (Saints John and Paul) wants to celebrate great historical personalities and illustrious figures of the Serenissima, whose events are linked to the Basilica and the Dominicans of Saints John and Paul, such as Marcantonio Bragadin, hero of the siege of Famagusta, the doge Sebastiano Venier, winner at Lepanto in 1571 or Igor Stravinsky, whose funeral took place in San Zanipolo. A recent discovery reveals the close relationship between Marco Polo and the Dominicans of Saints John and Paul, who translated “Il Milione” from the vernacular into Latin for him to facilitate its diffusion, making it a sort of tourist guide to the Orient.
Furthermore, the Basilica of Saints John and Paul contains an immense collection of historical and artistic masterpieces and details that often escape even the most attentive eyes. Statues, frescoes, pagan and Christian symbols: the basilica is full of particularities and figures to be discovered. Precisely with the aim of highlighting curious and little-known elements, which are often lost in the vastness of the spaces of the Basilica, the Dominican friars of Saints John and Paul propose an unusual visiting format, aimed at discovering the jewels of the Basilica in an original and fun way: the treasure hunt.
Activities: • creation of a thematic itinarary with audio guide or panels • guided tours with the Dominican friars and volunteer guides to discover the lives, deeds, anecdotes and the connection of famous people such as Bragadin, Stravinsky, Venier, Marco Polo with the Basilica of Saints John and Paul and the Dominicans • photographic treasure hunt with a selection of symbols and famous people of the Basilica aimed at both adults and children • guided treasure hunt with a selection of the most interesting and curious works of art with a prize for the winners
Website: www.santigiovanniepaolo.it
Location: Saints John and Paul Basilica, Venice
Schedule: June 1, 2021 – March 24, 2022
