The church of San Zaccaria is one of the oldest in Venice. The first structure dates back to the early 9th century, almost 1200 years ago, although the façade is Renaissance in style with its serene whites and pinks and gentle curves. It is also known as the church of homicides, as several of the earliest doges were murdered in this very campo.
To the right of the church you’ll see a red-brick building and tower; this was an old convent for nuns, although they had a reputation for being rather unchaste and promiscuous. This was because, in fact, many of them came from the city’s noble families, and entered not so much out of religious calling as to satisfy family interests, given that a great deal of money circulated in convents and it was thought quite strategic to have a family member within the church environment. The convent was infamous for its parties and licentious meetings with young boys, but if you look for the house number 4697, you’ll see a plaque that strictly prohibits “playing games, making noise, dirtying the ground, and committing any improper acts”, to the point that for centuries both entries to the campo were closed in the evening after sunset.