Just behind San Marco, but mysteriously quiet, San Zaccaria is one of Venice’s most underappreciated churches. Its layered architecture blends Gothic and Renaissance, and inside you’ll find stunning altarpieces, a peaceful chapel, and a surprise — a flooded 10th-century crypt, complete with reflections and echoes. You need to buy a ticket for the crypt, but tell Sandro that Marco sent you!

It’s a place of mystery and silence, perfect for those who love forgotten corners and sacred light.

Tip: The crypt is accessed by stairs just past the main altar — many visitors miss it. Go just before noon for perfect beams of light through the high windows.