Scuola Grande di San Rocco

Scuola Grande di San Rocco was established as the seat of a confraternity of wealthy citizens, dedicated to charitable works. Scuola stands next to Church of San Rocco, a saint to whom the city of Venice was voted to ask for pardon during the first of the three great plague epidemics, that of the fourteenth century. The project was similar to that of other Venetian Scuole and was characterized by two rooms, one on the first and one on the second floor. Sala Terrena consisted of three naves. Here the direct entrance to the field was located. From this room one could access the upper one through a "court" staircase, interrupted by a landing covered by a dome. Destination of the processions and meeting place of the Brothers, the upper hall was characterized by a wooden altar. In 1564 Tintoretto was asked to decorate Scuola. All the works are his or his students. Sala dell'Albergo is of particular value. The marvelous series of canvases, made in the three rooms between 1564 and 1588, for its unity represents for Venice the one that for Rome is Sistine Chapel.