Emplacement
Chiesa di San Lazzaro

Church of San Lazzaro

Isola San Lazzaro degli Armeni
30126 Venezia VE
Located on the island of San Lazzaro, endowed permanently by the Venetian Senate to Abbot Mekhitar and the Mekhitarist fathers on 2 August 1717. The brotherhood entered the island on 8 September, the day commemorating foundation of the Congregation. The church taken over by the Mehkitarist fathers was constructed in 1180 and was rebuilt in 1348, in honour of San Lazzaro. It had a simple structure in three naves, which was maintained during the renovation.Mekhitar raised the central nave by 1.5 meters and rebuilt the roof, hiding the king post trusses under barrel vaulting; the six columns supporting the arches were replaced and the windows were enlarged.The large altar was reconstructed later with beautiful marbles and two smaller altars in the lateral naves were added, dedicated to the Nativity of the Holy Virgin and Sant'Antonio Abate.The apse of the church was constructed in 1898, with three large stained glass windows representing San Lazzaro, the Patriarch San Sahak and San Mesrop Mashtoz, who invented the Armenian alphabet.
 
Opening hours and guided tour
For single visitors only one admission daily with guided tour at 3.25pm (waterbus n.20 from san Zaccaria stop at 2.45pm), no need for reservation. Special openings for groups of more than 25 pax upon reservation
 
Contact
phone number: (+39)0415260104