San Giovanni di Malta church

Templars in Venice

 The church of San Giovanni di Malta in Venice (also known as Gran Priorale church) is of particular interest to visitors who are fascinated with Medieval history, cause this was the church of the Knights Templar of St John. 
This military-religious order was founded in XII century with the purpose of defending pilgrims in the Holy Land.
Later on, San Giovanni di Malta church continued to be used by the same group, although this has changed its name a few times (it has been known as the order of the Knights of St John of Rhodes, the order of the Knights of Malta and Knights of Jerusalem). The cloister contains many graves of Templars.

San Giovanni di Malta church is located in Castello district, but it is normally closed (it still belongs to the Templars, after a period of closing after French conquest).