It is considered one of the masterpieces of religious architecture of Andrea Palladio. It was built by the Senate of the Republic in 1577, as a votive temple consecrated to the Redeemer for the end of the plague which hit the city in 1576.
The works of Domenico Tintoretto, Paolo Veronese, Palma il Giovane, Francesco Bassano, Alvise Vivarini, Paolo Piazza and Pietro della Vecchia are exhibited within.
It is traditionally the fulcrum of one of the holiday celebrations closest to the hearts of the Venetions: the celebration of the redeemer which is held on the third Sunday of July. The church, in fact, is conceived as the final station for the solemn procession of the Redeemer which crosses the Giudecca canal over a bridge of boats built for the occasion.