San Pietro in Volta

Again, as evening’s shadow falls,

We gather in these hallowed walls;

And vesper hymn and vesper prayer

Rise mingling on the holy air.

- Samuel Longfellow, Vespers



This is the church of San Pietro in Volta. According to tradition, on June 29, 900, Doge Pietro Tribuno (888-912) defeated the Hungarians near this spot, then known as Albiola, as they attempted to attack Venice. In memory of the victory, a church was built about fifty years later and dedicated to St Peter, since June 29 is St Peter's Day. The village later became known as San Pietro in Volta, from 'in volata', which means 'in flight', referring to the Hungarian forces. Another theory derives the name from the curvature of the coast, 'volta' meaning a turn.



There is conflicting information on the internet, which comes as no surprise. Some sites give the year of the battle as 965, with no mention of Pietro Tribuno.



The church was rebuilt in 1777 on the site of an earlier church from the 1600s and was finished in 1844 with a neoclassical facade.