Tradition holds that the church was founded in the fifth century by the Paduan townspeople who had gone on to establish a community in what were then the islands of Rivoalto (Rialto) and Dorsoduro, and now form part of Venice.

Since 1386, the church commemorated the victory at the Battle of Castagnaro of forces including men under Francesco Novello da Carrara over the armies of Antonio della Scala.

[1] With its proximity to the nearby market places, the church gained commissions for private altars and restoration work.

The tympanum of the portal is surmounted by a large rose window surrounded by terracotta decoration from the 7th and 8th centuries.

The first altar on the right depicts Jesus granting the keys of the church to St Peter by Pietro Damini.

On the nave wall is a large canvas depicting a Sermon of St John the Baptist by Francesco Zanella.