All SEE in Veneto

The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary is a Catholic parish church in Verona, officially called Chiesa del Cuore Immacolato di Maria in Italian. In the city, it is also widely known as the Votive Temple, because it was built after a solemn wartime vow. The dedication to the Immaculate Heart of Mary connects the church with Marian devotion. Its religious identity is closely linked to the dramatic years of the Second World War, when Verona suffered bombing, fear, and uncertainty, and the local Church asked for protection through a public vow. The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary stands at Piazzale XXV Aprile 8, directly in front of Verona Porta Nuova railway station. Its position makes it one of the easiest churches to reach in Verona, especially for visitors arriving by train, airport shuttle, regional bus, urban bus, or taxi. The Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary was designed by Paolo Rossi De Paoli and constructed between 1950 and 1952. It opened for worship on 8 December 1952, became a parish on 25 December 1953, and was consecrated in May 1958 by Bishop Giovanni Urbani. The church belongs to the Diocese of Verona and the Vicariate Read more [...]

Ca’ Spineda is one of the most important historic palaces in the center of Treviso, located in Piazza San Leonardo, in front of the Church of San Leonardo. The building is today the seat of Fondazione Cassamarca, continuing a civic role that began in 1935. The palace was built for the noble Spineda family starting around 1560, in the second half of the 16th century. Its long history includes later 18th-century enlargements, a monumental staircase, a two-level festive hall, and the transformation of the building into a representative institutional seat. Located in the heart of Treviso’s historic center, Ca’ Spineda stands close to Piazza dei Signori, Loggia dei Cavalieri, Isola della Pescheria, the university area, and the Buranelli canal district.     Short History of Ca’ Spineda From the Spineda Family to the 18th Century Ca’ Spineda was commissioned by the Spineda family, one of the noble families of Treviso. Historical sources place the beginning of construction around 1560, when Gaspare Spineda wanted a prestigious residence in the San Leonardo area, with balconies and decorated façades. The exterior walls once had painted decorations representing the Four Seasons, Proserpina, the Death of Adonis, Pallas, and Neptune. These decorations are now lost, Read more [...]

Palazzo della Dogana is one of the historic buildings of the former San Leonardo Civil Hospital complex in Treviso. It stands in the city’s historic center, along the Sile riverfront, within the area now known as the Quartiere Latino, close to Piazza Santa Maria dei Battuti. Today, the former hospital area includes university spaces, residential units, commercial areas, open courtyards, and pedestrian connections along the Sile and Cagnan waterways. The broader university area covers about 9,617 square meters, including about 5,965 square meters of covered space. These figures refer to the restored San Leonardo university complex, not only to the rooms once used by customs officials. The name “Palazzo della Dogana” should be understood with precision. The building belonged to the former hospital complex, and only some rooms housed the customs office between 1834 and 1866.     Short History of Palazzo della Dogana From Medieval Charity to the San Leonardo Hospital The history of Palazzo della Dogana is connected to the old hospital complex of Santa Maria dei Battuti, also known as San Leonardo. This charitable institution was linked to the Scuola di Santa Maria dei Battuti, a confraternity active in Treviso between the 13th and 14th centuries. The Read more [...]

The Church of San Leonardo is a Catholic church in the historic center of Treviso, located in Piazza San Leonardo, between the Quartiere Latino and Piazza dei Signori. It faces the eponymous square, close to Ca’ Spineda, one of the historic palaces connected with the urban identity of central Treviso. The church is dedicated to Saint Leonard of Noblac, a saint traditionally invoked as a protector of prisoners. In Treviso, however, the church is also closely connected with Saint Rita of Cascia, whose altar is visited by many faithful throughout the year, especially around her feast day. The origins of San Leonardo go back to the 12th century, but the present building is the result of several later transformations. The most important reconstruction took place in 1657, while the façade visible today was designed in 1930 by architect Luigi Candiani. Inside, the church has a single nave, a raised presbytery, several devotional altars, paintings by Ludovico Pozzoserrato, a ceiling fresco by Giovan Battista Canal, and a historic pipe organ built by Gaetano Callido in 1787.     Short History of the Church of San Leonardo Medieval Origins of San Leonardo The earliest documented history of the Church of San Leonardo Read more [...]

The Cathedral of San Pietro Apostolo, also known as Treviso Cathedral, is the main Catholic church of Treviso and the cathedral of the Diocese of Treviso. Dedicated to Saint Peter the Apostle, it stands in Piazza del Duomo, in the historic center, close to Calmaggiore and Piazza dei Signori. The cathedral is the religious heart of the city, because it contains the bishop’s chair and serves as the mother church of the diocese. Its present appearance is mainly Neoclassical, but the building preserves older medieval, Romanesque, Renaissance, and early Christian elements beneath and around the modern structure. The most important architectural features include the six-column Ionic pronaos, the broad staircase, the three-nave interior, the seven domes, the raised presbytery, and the ancient crypt. The cathedral complex also includes the adjacent Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista, the canonries, the diocesan museum, and the bell tower. Inside Treviso Cathedral, the most valuable artistic area is the Malchiostro Chapel, a Renaissance space connected with Broccardo Malchiostro, Titian, Il Pordenone, Paris Bordone, and the Lombardo family. The cathedral’s crypt, with 68 columns, medieval fresco fragments, and the relics of Saint Liberalis, is another essential historical section.   Short History of the Cathedral of San Read more [...]

Palazzo Bortolan is one of the most distinctive historic buildings in the center of Treviso, standing between the refined urban fabric of the old town and the river landscape of the Sile. The palace is located in the area of Riviera Garibaldi and Piazza dell’Università. Also known as Palazzo dell’Umanesimo Latino, the building belongs to the historic complex of San Leonardo, an area closely linked today with Treviso’s university district. Its position makes it part of the Quartiere Latino, one of the most important urban recovery projects carried out in the modern history of the city. The palace has 16th-century origins, but its present appearance is largely the result of a major Neoclassical transformation completed in the early 19th century. Today, Palazzo Bortolan is connected with cultural, educational, conference, and hospitality functions. Its upper floors host Le Camere di Palazzo Bortolan, an accommodation structure with seven rooms and a three-room apartment, allowing guests to stay inside a restored historic palace in central Treviso.   Short History of Palazzo Bortolan Origins and the Bortolan Transformation The original building dates back to the 16th century, when this part of Treviso was already connected with the Sile River and the nearby religious and Read more [...]

Fontana delle Tette is one of the most unusual public monuments in Treviso. The fountain is located in the historic center, close to Piazza dei Signori, Calmaggiore, and Calle del Podestà, in one of the most visited areas of the city. The name is usually translated into English as the Fountain of Tits or Fountain of Breasts. The monument depicts a bare-breasted female figure whose breasts release water into a basin. Its appearance is striking, but its historical meaning is linked to civic celebration, Venetian rule, and public ritual. The fountain visible today in the courtyard of Palazzo Zignoli is not the original sixteenth-century sculpture. It is a 1989 reconstruction of the historic fountain, created to bring back into public view one of Treviso’s best-known civic symbols. The authentic sculpture is kept under the portico of Palazzo dei Trecento, one of the most important medieval buildings in Treviso.     Short History of Fontana delle Tette Origins Under Venetian Rule The history of Fontana delle Tette begins in 1559, when Treviso was under the control of the Republic of Venice. At that time, the city was governed through Venetian institutions, including the office of the podestà, the official who represented Read more [...]

Palazzo dei Capitani is an historic palace located in the centre of Malcesine, on the eastern shore of Lake Garda. Built originally between the 13th and 14th centuries on older Roman and Romanesque remains, the palace has undergone several transformations across centuries and today stands as a protected national monument. It occupies a prominent position near the lakefront and the port, making it an emblematic building that reflects the layered political and architectural history of the region. With its Venetian-Gothic style facade, frescoed interior, elegant halls, and tranquil lakeside garden, Palazzo dei Capitani offers a fascinating glimpse of the past: from feudal lords to Venetian magistrates, from private noble residence to modern civic building.     Short History of Palazzo dei Capitani The site of Palazzo dei Capitani in Malcesine traces back to ancient times: the building was erected over Roman and early medieval (Romanesque) remains. The first version of the palace was constructed by the ruling family of Verona, the Scaligeri (also known as the della Scala), sometime between the late 13th and early 14th centuries. At some point, the original structure was reduced to simple walls – likely as a result of a disaster such as a fire Read more [...]

Buy tickets & tours:GetYourGuide Villa Angarano is located northeast of Bassano del Grappa, in the district of San Eusebio, on the right bank of the Brenta River. The estate stands a few kilometers from the town center, between vineyards, the San Eusebio hills, the Brenta landscape, and the Monte Grappa area. The villa is one of the most unusual Palladian sites in the Veneto. It preserves the agricultural wings designed for Giacomo Angarano, while the central residence belongs to a later Baroque phase. This visible contrast makes the complex different from many more stylistically unified Venetian villas. Villa Angarano is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto. The site was enlarged in 1996 to include twenty-one additional Palladian villas spread across the region, extending recognition from Vicenza to Palladio’s rural architecture. The complex still reflects the original meaning of a Palladian villa: not only a noble residence, but the organized center of an agricultural estate. The property includes rural spaces, vineyards, olive groves, service buildings, and historical structures connected with cultivation, wine production, storage, and estate management. Today, Villa Angarano remains a private residence and active farm. The estate belongs Read more [...]

The Church of San Giovanni Battista is a church in Bassano del Grappa, located in the historical center of the town, in Piazza Libertà.   SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SAN GIOVANNI BATTISTA The church was erected in 1308 at the behest of the de’ Biasi family on a piece of land belonging to a hospital, located outside the Ezzelinian walls, along the road that led to Campo Marzio. The license was issued by Bishop Altegrado da Lendinara. In 1397, the Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament (Cappella del Santissimo Sacramento) was added to the original church, which was expanded on this occasion. A general renovation took place during the 15th century and a document from 1435 states that a new Chapel dedicated to Saints James and Christopher was also built. In 1454, the church was enlarged again, and in 1460 the main door towards the square was opened. In 1489, the choir was rebuilt, the current Chapel of Our Lady of Sorrows (Cappella dell’Addolorata). The current church dates back, in large part, to the renovation begun in 1747, then suspended for several years and resumed in 1782. This renovation was entrusted to the architect Giovanni Miazzi from Bassano del Read more [...]

Castello degli Ezzelini is a medieval fortress situated at the highest point of Bassano del Grappa, dominating the landscape with its medieval silhouette. Its strategic location underscores its importance: from here, one could oversee the Brenta Valley, monitor enemy movements, and control trade routes that connected the Venetian plain to the Alpine passes. Today, Castello degli Ezzelini continues to fascinate visitors not only with its formidable walls and towers but also with the legends, conflicts, and dramatic historical events associated with the Ezzelini family, one of the most feared dynasties in northern Italy during the Middle Ages.   Short History of Castello Degli Ezzelini A defensive structure already existed around the ancient Church of Santa Maria in Colle, and a record from the year 998 confirms fortifications on this elevated site. In the second half of the 12th century, the castle’s destiny changed forever. The Bishop of Vicenza, who owned the complex, granted the castle to Ezzelino I da Romano, the patriarch of what would become the Ezzelini dynasty. Ezzelino I and his descendants did not simply occupy the castle – they turned it into the seat of their power, strengthening existing fortifications and using it as an administrative, military, Read more [...]

Piazza Libertà, known also as Piazza dei Signori, is the main square of Bassano del Grappa, located in the historical center of the town. Known for its vibrant atmosphere and its harmonious blend of historical architecture, Piazza Libertà serves as a cultural and social hub, drawing both locals and tourists alike.   SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA LIBERTÀ The square was obtained by filling the moat that surrounded the second circle of walls of Bassano del Grappa, and it was called at first Piazza San Giovanni, from the name of the church built there in 1308. Starting with 1867, it was dedicated to Vittorio Emanuele II, King of Italy, and during the Second World War it was called Piazza del Popolo.   ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA LIBERTÀ The square is the nodal point of the city where the main streets of the centre converge. On the northern side of the square, there are prestigious buildings, including the houses of the ancient Remondini printing house and Loggia del Comune. On the southern side of the square, one can find the imposing facade of the Church of San Giovanni Battista. Commissioned by the de’ Biasi family, the church dates back to 1308 and was Read more [...]

Palazzo Sturm is one of the most significant historic buildings in Bassano del Grappa, located on the left bank of the Brenta River. Known today primarily for housing two major cultural institutions – the Ceramics Museum and the Remondini Print Museum – the palace stands as a testament to the artisanal, industrial, and artistic traditions that shaped the city across centuries.   Short History of Palazzo Sturm The origins of Palazzo Sturm date back to the mid-18th century, in a period when Bassano del Grappa was experiencing both architectural expansion and economic diversification. The palace was constructed in the district of Cornorotto, an area that already contained older structures, including a stretch of medieval walls, a tower, and a small nucleus of buildings from the 15th century. Instead of demolishing these earlier constructions, they were integrated into the new palace, creating an architectural stratification that still characterizes the building. Palazzo Sturm was commissioned by Vincenzo Ferrari, a wealthy industrialist and silk merchant. Silk production played a crucial role in the local economy during the 18th century, and Ferrari sought to create a residence that would reflect both his financial success and his cultural ambitions. For the architectural design, he relied Read more [...]

Piazza Garibaldi is a square in Bassano del Grappa, located in the historical center of the town, adjacent to Piazza Libertà. The square was named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, a prominent Italian general and nationalist who played a significant role in the unification of Italy. Popularly, the square is also known as Piazza della Fontana, due to the Bonaguro Fountain (Fontana Bonaguro), located in its center, or Piazza delle Erbe, because for centuries the vegetable market was held there.   SHORT HISTORY OF PIAZZA GARIBALDI The current appearance of the square dates from 1776, when the architect Antonio Gaidon arranged it. In 1898, the arrival of a water pipe from the Fontanazzi springs that brought pure water right to the center of Bassano, represented an event of national importance. The event was then celebrated with the construction of the Bonaguro Fountain in the center of the square. The fountain was designed by the sculptor Carlo Spazzi, and named after the mayor Antonio Bonaguro, who donated it to the community on the occasion of the inauguration of the public aqueduct.   ARCHITECTURE OF PIAZZA GARIBALDI Piazza Garibaldi is overlooked, to the north, by the Civic Tower (Torre Civica), while to the south Read more [...]

Palazzo Jonoch-Calmonte is one of the lesser-known but historically rich residences in Bassano del Grappa, in the Veneto region of northern Italy. Overlooking the river Brenta at the end of Via Pusterla, this stately building is closely tied to the rise of a prosperous local bourgeoisie between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, Palazzo Jonoch-Calmonte is appreciated both for its refined interiors and for the panoramic viewpoint in front of it.     Short History of Palazzo Jonoch-Calmonte The story of Palazzo Jonoch-Calmonte is rooted in the economic development of Bassano del Grappa in the 19th century, when the city saw the growth of a dynamic entrepreneurial class. Among these new elites was the Jonoch family, associated with leather tanning (concia delle pelli) and landownership, sectors that played an important role in the local economy. According to research published in the multi-volume Storia di Bassano, Palazzo Jonoch was built as a “sumptuous bourgeois residence” for tanning and landowning entrepreneurs. It arose from the reconstruction of earlier buildings on the riverfront, at the very end of Via Pusterla, where the historic urban fabric meets the Brenta. The main decorative phase of Palazzo Jonoch-Calmonte belongs to the late 19th century. Read more [...]

Palazzo Mocenigo Ca’ Vecchia is a palace in Venice, located in the sestiere (district) of San Marco, part of the architectural complex of Palazzi Mocenigo. The complex is composed of four palaces, with the three on the left known as Palazzi Mocenigo Ca’ Nova and the one on the right as Palazzo Mocenigo Ca’ Vecchia. Palazzo Mocenigo Ca’ Vecchia is located on the far right of the complex, overlooking the Grand Canal next to Palazzo Contarini delle Figure.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO MOCENIGO CA’ VECCHIA Despite the name of Ca’ Vecchia (Old House), it is the most recent building of the complex. Palazzo Mocenigo Ca’ Vecchia was built at the beginning of the 17th century, more precisely between 1623 and 1625, on a project by the architect Francesco Contin, on the site of an ancient structure dating back to the 15th century. Once in precarious conditions, it was recently renovated and divided into several properties. The facade, once yellow, is now painted white. Over time, the palace had prestigious guests, such as the Italian philosopher Giordano Bruno at the end of the 16th century, and the writer Thomas Moore and the poet Lord Byron at the beginning of the Read more [...]

Palazzo Mocenigo il Nero is a palace in Venice, located in the sestiere (district) of San Marco, part of the architectural complex of Palazzi Mocenigo. The complex is composed of four palaces, with the three on the left known as Palazzi Mocenigo Ca’ Nova and the one on the right as Palazzo Mocenigo Ca’ Vecchia. Palazzo Mocenigo il Nero is located on the far left of the complex, overlooking the Grand Canal next to Palazzo Corner Gheltof.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO MOCENIGO IL NERO In the second half of the 16th century, Palazzo Mocenigo il Nero replaced a previous structure dating back to the 15th century. The palace was mainly used for receptions, as evidenced by the large atrium and the monumental staircase. One of the most sumptuous celebrations was in honor of Doge Alvise Mocenigo, after winning the Battle of Lepanto. In 1716, Pisana Cornaro Mocenigo received Frederick Augustus III, the King of Poland, with a sumptuous party. At the beginning of the 20th century, the palace passed by inheritance to the Robilant family, who sold it after a short while.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO MOCENIGO IL NERO The facade of the palace is characterized by the three Read more [...]

Palazzo Corner Gheltof is a Gothic-style palace in Venice, located in the sestiere (district) of San Marco. The palace overlooks the Grand Canal between Fondaco Marcello and the complex of Palazzi Mocenigo.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO CORNER GHELTOF The construction date of the palace remains unknown. Palazzo Corner Gheltof was partially rebuilt in the 16th century.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO CORNER GHELTOFF The palace is characterized by the presence of two facades of different dates. The rear one, facing a large courtyard, still has Byzantine elements, including a well dating back to the 10th or 11th centuries, parapets with pointed arched balconies and an open staircase. The front facade overlooking Canal Grande, dating back to the end of the 16th century, is organized around a central axis made up of a water portal, a serliana (Palladian window) on the first noble floor and a quadrifora on the second noble floor. On the second noble floor, there are also two coats of arms.   TIP: To admire every palace, church and bridge built on the Grand Canal, the best option is to take the waterbus Line 1 from Piazzale Roma, which will get you in about 45 minutes to San Read more [...]

Palazzo Tron a San Beneto is a palace in Venice, located in the sestiere (district) of San Marco, not far from the Rialto Bridge. The palace overlooks the Grand Canal between Palazzo Corner Contarini dei Cavalli and Palazzo D’Anna Viaro Martinengo Volpi di Misurata.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO TRON A SAN BENETO The ground floor and the first floor of the palace were probably built in the 13th century, making it one of the oldest buildings on the Grand Canal. In the 15th century, Palazzo Tron a San Beneto was rebuilt under Nicolò Tron, the 68th Doge of Venice and the most famous bearer of the family name. At the beginning of the 17th century, the diplomat, politician and agronomist Nicoló Tron, named after his ancestor, left the palace to his son, Andrea Tron, the procurator of San Marco. When Chiara Tron, who was childless, died at the end of the 18th century, and the family branch of Tron a San Beneto died out, the property went in direct succession to the patrician family Donà Dalle Rose. Later, the palace, with the exception of the second floor, was sold to the Vivante merchant family. Around the middle of the Read more [...]

Palazzo Corner Contarini dei Cavalli is a palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Grimani di San Luca and Palazzo Tron.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO CORNER CONTARINI DEI CAVALLI Palazzo Corner Contarini dei Cavalli was built around the middle of 15th century on the site of an ancient building dating back to the 12th century. At the beginning of the 16th century, Bartolomeo d’Alviano resided in the palace. He was a captain who distinguished himself in the defence of the Venetian Republic against the Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian. In 1521, the palace passed through marriage to the Contarini family, who kept it until 1830, when it was sold to the Mocenigo family. Later, the palace passed successively to the Ulbricht family, to the Cavalieri family and to the Ravenna family. Currently, the building houses offices of the Ministry of Justice.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO CORNER CONTARINI DEI CAVALLI The palace was built in Venetian-Gothic style, but has different architectural styles on its floors, as it was subject to various renovations over the centuries. The ground floor is covered with a 17th-century ashlar, with a central water portal which uses the Read more [...]

Palazzo Donà Balbi is a palace in Venice, located in the Santa Croce district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal opposite Palazzo Flangini.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO DONÀ BALBI The palace was built in the 17th century, most likely by joining several adjacent buildings. Owned by the Province of Venice, the building is the current seat of the Regional Scholastic Office (Ufficio Scolastico Regionale).   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO DONÀ BALBI The sober plastered facade of the palace is divided into three parts. The right part is the main one, presenting the only access door and four-light windows with balconies on both noble floors. The other two parts are instead characterized by three single lancet windows. All the openings have round arches surmounted by cornices. On the ground floor, there were two secondary access doors, now closed.   TIP: To admire every palace, church and bridge built on the Grand Canal, the best option is to take the waterbus Line 1 from Piazzale Roma, which will get you in about 45 minutes to San Marco Vallaresso, located near Piazza San Marco and the eastern end of the canal. And if you need more time to admire the scenery, take an enchanting Read more [...]

Palazzo Grimani di San Luca is an imposing Renaissance-style palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal not far from the Rialto Bridge.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO GRIMANI DI SAN LUCA In March 1556, the noble Girolamo Grimani aquired a ruined palace on the Grand Canal owned by the brothers Bertuccio and Marino Contarini. In the summer of 1557, he decided to build a new palace on this site, and the project was given to the architect Michele Sanmicheli. In 1559, the ground floor was completed, but Sanmicheli died, and the direction of the construction was entrusted in 1561 to Giangiacomo de’ Grigi. The tasks of de’ Grigi was to complete the ground floor with a mezzanine, and to build the first and second floors. In November 1566, a dispute arose between Grimani and de’ Grigi, mainly in relation to the facade and the sum of money that the client still had to pay to the architect. The dispute was resolved thanks to the intervention of three illustrious architects – Andrea Palladio, Jacopo Sansovino and Pietro Guberni, who established what was still to be done, the cost and the date by which the Read more [...]

Palazzo Marcello is a palace in Venice, located in the Cannaregio district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Ca’ Vendramin Calergi and Palazzo Molin Erizzo.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO MARCELLO Around the middle of the 15th century, the palace belonged to the Molin della Maddalena family. At the time, the structure had only one noble floor, in addition to the mezzanine and the ground floor. The palace passed to the Marcello family in 1517 due to the marriage between Marco Antonio Marcello and Caterina Molin di Nadalin. Towards the end of the 17th century, Palazzo Marcello was rebuilt. The captain Lorenzo Marcello was born in the palace in 1603, and the composer Benedetto Marcello in 1686. In the palace, the English writer Frederick Rolfe died of a heart attack on October 25, 1913.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO MARCELLO On the two noble floors, the palace has two large five-light windows decorated with round arches. The five-light windows are flanked by pairs of sigle-light windows, also with rounded arches. The presence of the two water portals suggests that the building was used by two families. In addition to the portals, the ground floor has five rectangular windows. The mezzanine has Read more [...]

Campo Sant’Angelo, known in Venetian dialect as Campo Sant’Anzolo, is a square in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere). The campo owes its name to the homonymous church that once stood there.   SHORT HISTORY OF CAMPO SANT’ANGELO Campo Sant’Angelo was once separated by Rio de Sant Anzolo, which currently delimits its southwestern side, by the Church of San Michele Arcangelo. The church was demolished at the beginning of the 19th century, in the wake of the Napoleonic suppression of Italian religious orders.   ARCHITECTURE OF CAMPO SANT’ANGELO Campo Sant’Angelo is a large square located about halfway between Campo Santo Stefano and the smaller Campo Manin. The square is overlooked by palaces of great historical-architectural importance. On its northwestern side, there is Palazzo Trevisan Pisani, also known as Palazzo Somachi, built in the 17th century for the Trevisan family and ceded later to the Pisani family. Adjacent to Palazzo Trevisan Pisani, we can find Palazzo Gritti, also known as Palazzo Gritti Morosini, built in the 16th century for the noble Gritti family. On the eastern part of the square, there is Palazzo Duodo a Sant’Angelo, built in the 15th century for the Duodo family and bought later by Read more [...]

Palazzo Grimani Marcello, also known as Palazzo Vendramin Grimani, is a palace in Venice, located in the San Polo district (sestiere). The palace overlooks the Grand Canal between Palazzo Cappello Layard and Palazzo Querini Dubois.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO GRIMANI MARCELLO Palazzo Grimani Marcello was built in the 18th century on the site of an ancient building dating back to the 12th century. In 1825, Carlo Bevilacqua frescoed the internal rooms. After a two-year renovation by the Foundation of the Golden Tree (Fondazione dell’Albero d’Oro), the palace was reopened to the public in 2021. Now, the visitors can admire the art collection inside the palace, which is also used for temporary exhibitions.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO GRIMANI MARCELLO The tripartite facade, decorated with numerous sculptural elements, is divided by pilasters with Corinthian capitals and covered entirely in white Istrian stone. The ground floor is characterized by the presence of a large water portal with a square arch and four openings with a triangular tympanum. The first noble floor is characterized by a three-mullioned window with a protruding balcony. On the second floor, the balustrade is on the facade line, and the columns dividing the window rest directly on the Read more [...]

Ca’ del Duca is a palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal next to Palazzo Falier.   SHORT HISTORY OF CA’ DEL DUCA The construction project of the palace was entrusted to Bartolomeo Bon by Marco Cornaro, father of Caterina Cornaro, the last monarch of the Kingdom of Cyprus. Unfinished, the palace was sold in 1461 to Francesco Sforza, who entrusted its grandiose reconstruction to Antonio Averulino. However, before the project could be implemented, Ca’ del Duca was expropriated due to the rivalry appeared between the Republic of Venice and the Duchy of Milan. A second renovation project was entrusted to Jacopo Sansovino by Vittore Grimani, the Procurator of San Marco, but this project too remained only on paper. In 1618, Alfonso de la Cueva-Benavides y Mendoza-Carrillo, a Spanish nobleman who went to Venice as ambassador, settled in the palace. Soon after, he was forced to flee because he was involved in the Bedmar Conspiracy against the Serenissima. During the 1620s, the palace was used as a studio by Titian, who worked here on many of the canvases intended for the decoration of the Doge’s Palace. In 2011, Ca’ del Duca hosted the Read more [...]

Palazzo Balbi is a Renaissance palace in Venice, located in the sestiere (district) of Dorsoduro, overlooking the Grand Canal between Ca’ Foscari and Palazzo Caotorta Angaran. Palazzo Balbi is the official seat of the President of the Veneto Region and of the Regional Council.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO BALBI Palazzo Balbi was built in the second half of the 16th century, to a design by Alessandro Vittoria, to be the residence of the Balbi family. The construction of the palace started in 1582 and was completed in 1590. Many restorations followed over the years, including that of 1737 commissioned by Lorenzo Balbi, and a subsequent one which saw the addition of the works by Jacopo Guarana. In 1807, Napoleon Bonaparte was hosted in the palace, and was able to attend from its balcony the regatta organized in his honor. Over the years, the palace was often rented out, to other families from the Venetian patriciate – the Pisanis, the Valmaranas and the Biondis. In 1887, Palazzo Balbi passed to Michelangelo Guggenheim, who chose it as the seat of his Industrial Arts Laboratories, modernized it and brought there his personal art collection. In 1925, the palace passed to the Adriatic Read more [...]

Palazzo Cappello Layard is a palace in Venice, located in the sestiere (district) of San Polo, overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Barbarigo della Terrazza and Palazzo Grimani Marcello.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO CAPPELLO LAYARD The palace was built in the 16th century and renovated during the same century according to the styles of Renaissance architecture at the behest of its owner, Antonio Cappello, the procurator of San Marco. At the end of the 19th century, the building became the residence of the English ambassador Austen Henry Layard. Layard, a distinguished archaeologist who became famous for the discovery of the city of Nineveh, moved his vast collection of Italian Renaissance paintings into the palace. Later, after his death, the art collection was donated by his wife to the National Gallery in London. Lady Layard died in 1912, and the palace was bought by the Carnelutti family and became the residence of the jurist Francesco Carnelutti. In 1967, Palazzo Cappello Layard passed to the Ca’ Foscari University of Venice. Currently, the palace houses the headquarters of the Department of Asia and Mediterranean Africa Studies of the university.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO CAPPELLO LAYARD The palace has three facades. The facade Read more [...]

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 [...]

Palazzo Molin Erizzo, also known as Palazzo Erizzo alla Maddalena, is a Gothic palace in Venice, located in the Cannaregio district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Marcello and Palazzo Soranzo Piovene.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO MOLIN ERIZZO The building where the current palace stands today was bought in 1454 by the Molin family, also owners of the adjacent Palazzo Marcello. Shortly after the purchase, the Molin family began the works for the elevation of the structure and for a new facade. In 1650, the palace passed to the Erizzo family following the marriage between Giacomo Erizzo and Cecilia Molin. Over time, the palace underwent numerous renovations, which led to the rearrangement of the ground floor and the mezzanine.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO MOLIN ERIZZO The facade of the palace has a Gothic layout, due to the numerous pointed arch windows, among which the five-light window on the main floor stands out. Inside, the noble floor (piano nobile) is decorated with 18th-century works, among which the most famous are by Andrea Celesti.   HOW TO GET TO PALAZZO MOLIN ERIZZO Palazzo Molin Erizzo is located about 1 kilometers away from the Santa Lucia railway station. The closest vaporetto Read more [...]

Palazzo Giustinian Recanati is a palace in Venice, located in the Dorsoduro district (sestiere), on Fondamenta delle Zattere al Ponte Longo, overlooking the Giudecca Canal (Canale della Giudecca). The palace is located a few meters away from Palazzo Clary.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO GIUSTINIAN RECANATI Palazzo Giustinian Recanati was built in the 16th century for a branch of the Giustinian family, linked by marriage to the Morosini family. In the 17th century, the palace passed to the Recanati family, originally from Badia Polesine, a new member of the Venetian patriciate. Today, the well preserved palace still belongs to the descendants of the Giustinian Recanati family.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO GIUSTINIAN RECANATI The facade of Palazzo Giustinian Recanati spreads over three floors – a ground floor, a noble floor (piano nobile) and an attic. On the ground floor, there is a large portal surmounted by the stone coat of arms of the Giustinian family. On the noble floor, there are arched openings accompanied by stone balconies inscribed in rectangular frames. Two pairs of single-light windows flank a large central four-light window supported by small Ionic columns. The attic, surmounted by a indented cornice, has a series of eight Read more [...]

Palazzo Clary, also known as Palazzo Clary-Ficquelmont, is a palace in Venice, located in the Dorsoduro district (sestiere), on Fondamenta delle Zattere, overlooking the Giudecca Canal (Canale della Giudecca).   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO CLARY Palazzo Clary was built in the 17th century. In the 19th century, the palace became the property of the noble Franco-Austrian family of the counts of Ficquelmont, and later of their heirs, the Austrian princes of Clary and Aldringen. The second noble floor of the palace was the historical seat of the Consulate of France, where until 1991 there was the famous red telephone line which connected the United States of America to Russia.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO CLARY The facade of the palace, in late Renaissance style, spreads over three floors, plus an attic. On the ground floor, there is a large rectangular portal, surmounted by two sculpted coats of arms. The first noble floor features round arched openings – a pair of single lancet windows on each side of a large central four-light window. The four-light window of the first noble floor is supported by columns with Ionic capitals and equipped with a stone balustrade embellished with small statues depicting lions. The second Read more [...]

Ospedale degli Incurabili (Hospital for the Incurable) is a large palace in Venice, located in the Dorsoduro district (sestiere), on Fondamenta delle Zattere. Today, the palace is the headquarters of the Venice Academy of Fine Arts (Accademia di Belle Arti di Venezia).   SHORT HISTORY OF OSPEDALE DEGLI INCURABILI By the end of the 15th century, hospitals were founded in many Italian cities for those suffering from syphilis, which was then considered incurable. In 1517, the noblewomen Maria Malipiero and Marina Grimani created a small shelter in Venice for three women plagued by this new disease. The Venetian hospital was founded in 1522 by Gaetano Thiene. In 1531, Girolamo Emiliani took over the management of the hospital. At the beginning, the hospital buildings were made of wood. Only at the end of the 16th century, the hospital was rebuilt in bricks. The institution was hit by a financial crisis in 1755, which was followed by the crisis of all Venetian hospitals in 1775. In 1782, by decree of the Senate, Ospedale degli Incurabili passed to a new administration entirely at the expense of the state. In 1807, it became the most important civic hospital of the city. Starting with February Read more [...]

Palazzo Pisani Gritti is a Gothic palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Ferro Fini and Campiello Traghetto.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO PISANI GRITTI Palazzo Pisani Gritti was built in the 14th century. In 1475, it was redesigned in Venetian-Gothic style for the Pisani family. In 1525, the palace became the private residence of the Doge of Venice, Andrea Gritti. The palace was owned for a long period of time by the Gritti family, and later became the residence of the Vatican ambassadors to Venice. In the 19th century, it became the property of the Baroness Susanna d’Eyb, widow of the Baron Wetzlar. During this period, John Ruskin and his young wife Ettie spent a long period in the palace, where he wrote his famous book The Stones of Venice. At the beginning of the 20th century, after a meticulous renovation, Palazzo Pisani Gritti was turned into a hotel.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO PISANI GRITTI Palazzo Pisani Gritti has four floors, with a very low ground floor and three noble floors, all in Gothic style. The two central floors have four single-light windows and one elegant pentafora (five-light window) in Read more [...]

Palazzo Giustinian Persico is a palace in Venice, located in the San Polo district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Rio di San Tomà and Palazzo Tiepolo Passi.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO GIUSTINIAN PERSICO Palazzo Giustinian Persico was built in the first decades of the 16th century for the noble Giustinian family, one of the most important and ancient Venetian families. The Persico family, originally from Bergamo, joined the Venetian patriciate on March 18, 1685, after the usual payment of 100,000 ducats to the Serenissima. Not long after its construction, the palace passed to the Persico family.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO GIUSTINIAN PERSICO The palace is one of the first Venetian structures built in Renaissance style. The facade of the palace, inspired by the work of Mauro Codussi, dates back to the 16th century. The facade is characterized by a lively red plaster on which two superimposed central four-light windows stand out, flanked by pairs of single-lancet windows. The frames of the windows are very valuable and most of them have a balcony. The rear facade of the building, architecturally not very interesting, overlooks a large garden.   HOW TO GET TO PALAZZO GIUSTINIAN PERSICO The palace is located Read more [...]