Chiesa di Sant'Elena
Chiesa di Sant'Elena
4
About
Duration: < 1 hour
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
The area
Address
Neighborhood: Castello
Castello is the largest of the six sestieri (districts), and the only one not facing onto the Grand Canal. More than half of Castello is situated within Arsenale, the naval base, which occupies over one-fifth the area of Venice. This gentrified maritime neighborhood feels busy but casual. Castello’s side streets are laid back, with small boats lining canals criss-crossed by laundry. Semiannual exhibitions add a strong artsy current to the Arsenale area. Via Garibaldi in Castello, with its shops and bars, has one of Venice's rare straight and wide boulevards. When a large ship turns around the Lido to enter the Giudecca Canal, the startling sight creates an illusion that it will run aground right on Via Garibaldi! Families treasure Giardini near the island's tip, green with rare trees and grass, and Riva degli Schiavoni is a popular spot for Venetians to take a stroll to watch the sunset.
Reach out directly

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.


4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles22 reviews
Excellent
8
Very good
10
Average
4
Poor
0
Terrible
0

Robert O
Rotterdam, The Netherlands3,933 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2021
This small Gothic style church dedicated to Helena is on a former island at the far eastern end of Venice. The location is quiet and peaceful. The cloister of the adjacent (former) convent even more so.

Walking through the city to Helena church from piazzale Roma took me about one and a half hour. I followed the east side of the Grand Canal and passed by Piazza San Marco on the way. The last part through the Castello neigborhood is quiet and relatively green as there a few gardens.

Distance just under 6 km.
Written October 5, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

scorzie
Boston, MA19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Aug 2018
History of this tiny island outside of the main city in Venice that was named after Sant Elena is fascinating. She was originally buried in 1025 in Constantinople & finally laid to rest in1928 in this church built by Monks on this island.
The one hotel on this island used to a monastery & is now a modern hotel - away from the numerous tourists in Venice city.
Written January 16, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gothicjo
Greater London, UK5 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
It was absolutely wonder to be able to go and venerate the relics of Saint Helen, the mother of the emperor Saint Constantine who gave freedom to Christianity.
The gentleman who was in charge of the church was a very polite person who was quite passionate about the church and very informative even though we spoke different languages we were able to communicate and he told us he looks after the church voluntarily.Highly recommended.
Written October 18, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

John A
Bristol, UK133 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016
This Church is tucked away deep in the Castello area next to the football stadium and near many blocks of flats occupied by ordinary Venetians. This is a peaceful house of prayer, far from the noisy and bustling tourists, and is a wonderful place to spend a quiet time. The side chapel houses the remains of Saint Elena (Helena) though I am not sure how she got there! St. Elena, was the mother of Constantine I who was the first Roman Emperor to become Christian,and she discovered the cross upon which Jesus Christ was crucified.
She was born in Bithynia, Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), in about the year 248, After she became a Christian she oversaw the building of several churches in the Holy Land. She died in about the year 328 in Nicomedia (also present-day Turkey).
The church which bears her name is a spiritual oasis, ideal for refreshing the soul.
Written November 3, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

groupleader45212
Helena, MT1,249 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Sep 2016 • Friends
This lovely Catholic church is a hidden gem in a quiet residential area on the east side of the city. Build in the 11th century and dedicated by St Elena, this Gothic church was also a 12th century convent and still has the beautiful cloisters in the garden. Vaulted ceilings, rose windows, graceful arches, and wall paintings add to the beauty.
The church's real claim to fame is the chapel on the right hand side that houses the body of Saint Elena (Helena) brought here in 1211. She is displayed in a sterling silver mask and hands wearing a heavily bejeweled and gold embroidered gown. This is a historic and peaceful building that will give a visitor a peacefully break from the hectic St. Mark's Square or Rialto area.
Written September 13, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

itsjaneshortall
Algarve, Portugal40 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2019
A wonderful atmospheric place to take time out from the bustle of the city. A holy, quiet place - well worth a visit.
Written November 14, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Alan F
Borehamwood, UK636 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2018 • Couples
This area at the far eastern side of Venice shows that you don't need to be around hordes of tourists all the time. It's very quiet around here, and apart from a few intrepid explorers, you will have the area to yourself.
The church (dating from the 15th century) itself is not large, but was important. There has been a church on this site since 1028. Not so much to see since the rest of the complex is now private property, but it is worth visiting.
Written July 10, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Patrip P
Venezia171 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2016
This area of Venezia has a beautiful and quiet park near there (Parco delle rimembranze = Park of memories).
You can have a rest and just relax yourself!
The sight of the skyline is gorgeous!
Written January 24, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

einarse
Bodo, Norway281 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2015 • Solo
Churches in Venezia are not free to enter, but this was a nice exception! Quiet church in a quiet part of the city, as far east as you can get without a boat.

Plain church, nicely decorated without that far too much decoration as is common in other churches in Italian cities. Hope to revisit another time!
Written November 27, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

Chiesa di Sant'Elena, Venice

Frequently Asked Questions about Chiesa di Sant'Elena