Wikimecum:How to gain access to Venetian churches
To gain access to one of Venice’s many elaborate churches, a letter must be written to the Soprintendenza All’Archaelogia requesting entrance to a specific church/churches. A letter from an involved sponsor, advisor, or organization is also recommended for additional verification of a group’s intentions. Using the official response from the Soprintendenza along with this letter, one can then proceed to the church to talk to a priest to be granted access.
Some priests will still want additional confirmation from their local Don or parroco (priest in charge of several churches other than his own).
In case a priest is not present to grant access, researches must approach a local school or nursery run by the church and see if anyone with the proper credentials is available. If not, the church’s caretaker is usually available to arrange a time for researcher’s to come back and try again when the priest or others will be present.
References
- 1. Blanchard, Scott et al. An Analysis of the Archeological Potential of Venetian Church Floors. 2004. Pg. 22.
- 2. Thompson, Kelly et al. Embedded Heritage: A Study of Venetian Church Floors. 2005. Pg. 22.