Mascherone - Campanile di S. Maria Formosa - Venice, Italy
Posted by: 
jiggs11
N 45° 26.232 E 012° 20.436
33T E 291999 N 5034960
Grotesque mascherone situated over the doorway at the base of the bell tower of Santa Maria Formosa church.
Waymark Code: WMXHR1
Location: Veneto, Italy
Date Posted: 01/16/2018
Views: 4
This mascherone is situated over the piazza entrance to the campanile S. Maria Formosa. Built between 1678 and 1688, to complement the adjacent church of Santa Maria Formosa, which was completed in 1492.
Legend has it the grotesque mascherone was intended as a "good-luck" icon, designed to keep evil spirits at bay.
The marble-carved head is said to actually represent someone suffering from fibromatosis or von Recklinghausen's disease.
Water spout is used: no
Condition: Lightly Weathered
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