Monumental complex

Unique in its kind, the ex Benedictine Monastery of San Giorgio Maggiore is a historical site of great architectural and artistic prestige, thanks to the presence of works by the greatest 16th and 17th-century Italian Masters.
The monumental complex oldest section dates back to the beginning of 1500 and features the Manica Lunga, which used to be dormitory to the Benedictine monks, and the Cypress Cloister, both splendid examples of Renaissance architecture by Giovanni and Andrea Buora.
The second relevant intervention on the architecture of San Giorgio Maggiore was by Andrea Palladio, who worked on the Island from 1560 on, building the actual Church of San Giorgio, the Palladian Cloister, completed after his death, and the Palladian Cenacle where Paolo Veronese painted The Wedding at Cana, an artwork recently returned – in facsimile – to its original location.
Baldassarre Longhena completed the majestic monumental complex with two Baroque interventions: the grand staircase, which gave access to the abbots' lodging, completed in 1645, and the Library completed in 1671 and occupies the entire length of the upper wing shared by the two cloisters. Its magnificent wooden bookcases were designed by Franz Pauc.
San Giorgio Maggiore monumental complex has the largest private park in the city of Venice, where the Teatro Verde is located.