What is the formal name of Santa Maria Formosa?

The church is formally designated as The Church of the Purification of Mary.

Who designed Santa Maria Formosa?

Renaissance architect Mauro Codussi designed the church building.

What does the name Formosa signify in local tradition?

The name relates to a traditional account of the Virgin Mary appearing as a voluptuous woman.

Who is traditionally credited with founding the earlier church on this site?

Tradition attributes the founding of the earlier church to San Magno, bishop of Oderzo.

Where is Santa Maria Formosa located?

The church is located in Venice in northern Italy.

Venice · Italy

Santa Maria Formosa: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

Residents around Santa Maria Formosa haul groceries over footbridges and arrange deliveries strictly by water.

Santa Maria Formosa · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Around here51

Exchange rate€0.89per 1 $EUR — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026

Within two hours

Lido di Venezia≈ 30 min

About the place

Architect Mauro Codussi shaped Santa Maria Formosa into a landmark Renaissance church over earlier medieval foundations.

Formally dedicated as the Church of the Purification of Mary, the structure represents a Renaissance work by architect Mauro Codussi. Codussi erected the building over the grounds of an earlier place of worship. Traditional accounts connect that prior foundation to San Magno, bishop of Oderzo, who established several regional sanctuaries.

Read on

The Latin epithet formosa originates from folklore describing an apparition of the Virgin Mary appearing as a shapely figure. For temporary residents settling into Venice, the surrounding parish connects to an established network of local homestay hosts. Daily life around the building requires navigating stone footpaths and canal bridges without vehicle access.

Associations

Mauro CodussiArchitect who designed the Renaissance structure.
San MagnoBishop of Oderzo linked by tradition to the earliest site.
The Purification of MaryThe formal ecclesiastic dedication of the church building.
Formosa EpithetRefers to folklore of the Virgin appearing as a voluptuous woman.
Canal BridgesAll daily errands and luggage transport require crossing stairs on foot.

Facts

The church carries the formal name of The Church of the Purification of Mary.
Renaissance architect Mauro Codussi provided the design for the current building.
Tradition identifies the site as an early church foundation established by San Magno, bishop of Oderzo.
The name formosa derives from an account of the Virgin Mary appearing disguised as a voluptuous woman.
The site operates within the Europe/Rome time zone.

Updated September 10, 2026Source: Wikipedia · TravelHub

Santa Maria Formosa: what's nearby, how to get there and when to go · 2026

What is around51

Architect Mauro Codussi shaped Santa Maria Formosa into a landmark Renaissance church over earlier medieval foundations.

Getting there and staying

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