Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari

The Basilica di Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari is one of the largest churches in Venice, and is commonly known as The Frari. 

In 1231, the city donated land on this site to establish a monastery and a church belonging to the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor. This proved to be too small and a three nave church was begun in 1250 and completed in 1338. Work almost immediately began on its much larger replacement, the current church, which took over a century to build. 

It’s fairly plain exterior contrasts strongly with its interior.  Its bell tower dates from the fourteenth century and is the second tallest campanile in Venice.Read more