Here we are in front of the Chiesa della Pietà. In 13th century Venice, and in Europe everywhere, orphans were unfortunately a common occurrence, as death in child-birth was frequent, and, often, families simply did not have enough money to raise a new-born. Venice was famous for taking care of its poor and its destitute, and this church you see was once a hospital and school for orphan girls, where they learned to sing and chant. The school quickly became famous in Europe for its girls’ choir, which the Venetian Antonio Vivaldi directed for over 40 years, writing some of his finest music for all-female choir ensembles.
If you peer in the calle to the side of the church, on the wall you’ll see a plaque condemning and even cursing whoever abandoned their children, showing particular vehemence against those who in fact had the means to raise them, not uncommon behaviour unfortunately.
