They contain a treasure trove of religious art and artifacts but Venice’s churches are closing down because of dwindling congregations.

The decline in the number of faithful turning up for church services reflects the drop in the World Heritage city’s population – from around 175,000 after the Second World War to just 55,000 today.

On Le Vignole, a sparsely-populated island in the lagoon, the parish priest of Santa Maria Assunta church recently put up a poignant sign which read: “Mass is cancelled because of a lack of parishioners,” adding that he was available “on request” if a large enough congregation could be mustered.

“At the moment I manage to hold Mass once a month,” said Father Mario Sgorlon. “Nobody turns up in the winter, because it is cold and damp and everyone stays at home. One time there were just three of us.”

With the prospect of dozens of churches having to close, Catholic authorities are considering allowing them to be turned into art galleries, museums and libraries. “There are around 100 churches in Venice, which is more than the liturgical community now needs,” said Francesco Moraglia, the Patriarch or archbishop of Venice.