Santa Maria Formosa

Santa Maria Formosa
Santa Maria Formosa: north facade
Religion
AffiliationRoman Catholic
ProvinceVenice
Location
LocationVenice, Italy
Santa Maria Formosa is located in Venice
Santa Maria Formosa
Shown within Venice
Santa Maria Formosa is located in Italy
Santa Maria Formosa
Santa Maria Formosa (Italy)
Geographic coordinates45°26′13″N 12°20′28″E / 45.4369°N 12.3411°E / 45.4369; 12.3411
Architecture
Completed1492

Santa Maria Formosa, formally The Church of the Purification of Mary, is a church in Venice, northern Italy. It was erected in 1492 under the design by Renaissance architect Mauro Codussi. It lies on the site of a previous church dating from the 7th century, which, according to tradition, was one of the eight founded by San Magno, bishop of Oderzo. The name "formosa" relates to an alleged appearance of the Holy Virgin disguised as a voluptuous woman1.