Salute Steps Venice

Perfect pause

Stacy from Venice

"The "Salute Steps" in front of the Salute Church in Venice are the perfect spot to rest just a bit and admire the city's grand baroque architecture..."

Touring around Venice is exhausting. Travelers become weary quickly with all the stairmaster like activity. Finding a park bench is no easy task as, honestly, they simply don't exist. Much like missing trash receptacles, benches are one of the many items ignored by city council. The hectic hive of the islands over-crowded main streets call for a spot of relax. When in Dorsoduro, I say, head to the Salute steps!

The Salute Church is a highlight of the city's Baroque architecture, open daily for prayer and visits. Famously visible from the Accademia bridge, this building blesses the Grand Canal with her swirly marble facade designed by Baldassare Longhena. Over the altar hangs a black madonna icon symbolizing the citizens' thanks to the heavens for the end of one of the many plagues that hit the city.

Her grand terrace-like stairs offer a perfect spot to reflect and relax, the massive building providing her own shade. NO PICNICS please! I'm suggesting a regrouping, a meditative moment. A spot to check your Spotted by Locals app!

Since entrance to this church is free, the doors are closed for lunch and reopen in the afternoon. On occasion organ concerts are offered. The floor is a spectacular example of Venetian artistry - one written about by the late Tudy Sammartini in her book Pavimenti a Venezia.

Pause here, sit on these steps. Salute means health. It is something we say when we toast one another, "Salute!" to your health.

Art & culture

Relaxing

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Venice Spotter Stacy

About me I am an American artist creating in Venice, Italy. I’ve been having a passionate love affair with this city for more than twenty years! A full-time painter, writer and terrace gardener, I embrace life like a rambling art project in process. I hold a graduate degree in Art from New York University. Why Venice The mystery, history and gritty elegance of this decaying, floating world has me entangled, inspired and often longing for the past. Venice is a unique spot at the center of the cultural world. Nearly everyone has visited or plans to visit; I decided to s...

About this spot

Fondamenta Salute

€

free

Dec 11, 2025

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