Ca’ da Mosto is one of the oldest palaces in Venice and the oldest palazzo on the Grand Canal, located in the sestiere (district) of Cannaregio, not far from the Rialto Bridge. SHORT HISTORY OF CA’ DA MOSTO The palace was built in the 13th century in Venetian-Byzantine style, when the da Mosto family became part of the Venetian patriciate. In the palace, the famous explorer Alvise Cadamosto was born and died. Between 1454 and 1462, he worked in Portugal for the prince Henry the Navigator. From the 16th century to the end of the 18th century, the palace was used as a hotel. Later, the structure was raised by two floors. After a recent renovation, Ca’ da Mosto is again a hotel, The Venice Venice Hotel. ARCHITECTURE OF CA’ DA MOSTO In particular, Ca’ da Mosto represents one of the best preserved examples of a Venetian warehouse, and more generally of the Venetian-Byzantine architecture which developed in the lagoon during the 12th and 13th centuries. Initially, the facade developed on two floors and was flanked by towers. When the building was raised by another two floors, the towers were demolished. The building has numerous characteristic elements of Read more [...]
Tag: Venetian-Byzantine in Venice
Palazzo Donà a Sant’Aponal
Palazzo Donà a Sant’Aponal, also known as Palazzo Donà dalle Trezze, is a palace in Venice, located in the San Polo district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Papadopoli and Palazzo Donà della Madoneta. SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO DONÀ A SANT’APONAL The Donà family, which still exists today, was among the families who founded Venice at the beginning of the 9th century. Built around the middle of the 13th century at the behest of the Donà family, Palazzo Donà a Sant’Aponal is one of the oldest in Venice. In 1314, it was owned by a certain Michele Zancani, who accurately described it in his will and divided it among his four or five children. In the 15th century, the palace was completely restructured. Other interventions dating back to the 17th century removed all the references to the original appearance of the building. ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO DONÀ A SANT’APONAL The original building was known for its grandeur. The facade was 21 meters long, while the palace extended inwards for about 60 meters. The facade of the palace overlooking the Grand Canal had nine imposing vaults, five of which were used as warehouses and four for storing wines. The Read more [...]
Church of Santa Fosca
The Church of Santa Fosca is a church dedicated to Saint Fusca of Ravenna, located on the island of Torcello, in the Venetian Lagoon, part of the complex of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta. Saint Fusca of Ravenna was a child martyr killed along her nurse, Maura, around 250 AD, in Ravenna, under the persecutions of the Roman Emperor Decius. SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SANTA FOSCA It seems that a church dedicated to Santa Fosca existed on this site since the first half of the 9th century. Around the year 1000, the building was part of the larger project promoted by the Bishop Orso Orseolo, for the reconstruction of the entire complex of the Cathedral. The building received its current appearance around the 12th century, when it was rebuilt to house the relics of the christian martyrs Fosca and Maura, brought from Sabratha, in Africa. ARCHITECTURE OF THE CHURCH OF SANTA FOSCA The church, with a circular plan, is an example of the Venetian-Byzantine style. It stands outside the remains of the ancient city square, next to the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta and the remains of the ancient baptistery. The church is surrounded on Read more [...]
