Ca’ da Mosto

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

the facade 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 a Venetian warehouse: the portego (porch) – designed to connect the land portal with the water portal, the curia (portico) – used for unloading goods from ships, flanked by a simple water portal and characterized by the succession of three irregular arches, and the mullioned window on the noble floor.

The six-light window, originally a loggia composed of seven elongated arches, was transformed into a hexafora by closing one of the holes.

Above, the window has interesting Byzantine marble decorations, bas-reliefs and friezes. On its sides, there are two single lancet windows.

The second noble floor is characterized by a simple serliana (Venetian or Palladian window), flanked by single-lancet windows.

The rear facade of the palace overlooks a small courtyard. It has a central three-light window, an external staircase and a vaulted portal on the ground floor.

TIP: To admire every palace, church and bridge built on the Grand Canal, take the waterbus Line 1 from Piazzale Roma, and after a 45 minutes trip you will reach San Marco Vallaresso and the eastern end of the canal.

And if you need more time to admire the scenery, take an enchanting gondola ride along Canal Grande.

HOW TO GET TO CA’ DA MOSTO

Ca’ da Mosto is located about 1.5 kilometers away from the Santa Lucia railway station. The closest vaporetto stop is Ca’ d’Oro, about 300 meters away, on the waterbus Line 1.