Sculpture

Along the walls 15 big and quality statues by Bonazza stand out.

Starting from the left side at the main entrance of the church, there is St. Simon the Zealot with his right hand placed on the long saw used for his martyrdom.

Then there's St. Thaddeus who holds a sharp spear again with his right hand.

The third one is St. Thomas who holds two sticks around which a parchment was usually rolled.

A few steps further three more statues can be found: St. James the Less, St. Andrew and St. Jerome, recognised as Doctor of the Church, who holds a book with his left hand to evoke the Bible whose original texts were translated by him.

Coming up, Pope St. Gregory the Great, St. Peter with chains on his chest and St. Paul who holds a sword with his right hand as a symbol of his sharp words.

The tenth statue represents a thoughtful St. Augustine, followed by St. Ambrose and St. John the Evangelist, one of the most significant figures: next to his left leg there is an eagle which symbolises the greatness of his writing, while his left hand holds the Gospel written by him.

The next statue is St. Bartholomew, the most beautiful one artistically speaking: he was flayed alive, so he holds his own skin in his arms. On the back of his left leg Giovanni Bonazza chiseled his signature too.

Then, St. Philipp holds long nails in his right hand.

Finally, St. Matthew the Evangelist is represented while writing, given that he's the author of the first Gospel.

On the right side of the church there is also an altar with the Virgin Mary: she holds the Christ Child with his left hand and the rosary in the right one. It's a fine work, probably linked to Sansovino's school. On the arch of the niche the mysteries of the rosary are painted.

Fonte: "Luigi Montobbio, Il duomo di S. Michele Arcangelo di Candiana, Ed. G Deganello, 1997