Vatican Chapels

The Vatican Chapels is a pavilion complex commissioned by the Holy See for the Venice Architecture Biennale, situated on the island of San Giorgio Maggiore in the Venetian lagoon. Conceived as a series of small sacred spaces set among the ancient woodland of the island, the project brought together architects from around the world, each designing a distinct chapel that responds to its natural surroundings and to the traditions of sacred architecture. The ensemble sits in quiet dialogue with the Benedictine monastery and the Palladian church of San Giorgio Maggiore, one of the most architecturally significant buildings in Venice.

The island itself is reached by vaporetto from the Bacino di San Marco, placing the chapels within easy reach of the city centre while remaining genuinely apart from it. The current programme includes a guided tour combining the woodland chapels with an exploration of San Giorgio Maggiore island, offering visitors a considered look at both the contemporary sacred structures and the broader cultural and architectural heritage of this remarkable Venetian setting.