In Campo san Tomà we find the usual Venetian well-head where, until not so long ago, locals would come to collect clean water, which was certainly not easy to find in this marshy environment. The windowless church is steeped in mystery, and very few Venetians know what’s inside since it has been closed for over half a century.
Directly opposite is the old Scuola dei Calegheri, of the shoe-makers, one of the richest and most powerful guilds in the city; remember that until recently, footwear would likely have been unbearably uncomfortable by today’s standards. Venetian noblemen then would pay through the nose for good, comfortable shoes. Above the entrance you’ll see a depiction of St Mark, patron of Venice, healing Sant’Anion, a cobbler from Alexandria in Egypt, who while at work pricked himself and was oveheard by Mark crying out “God is one” in annoyance. The saint proceeded to heal and baptise Anian, and in return had his sandals repaired.
