Palazzo Gussoni Grimani Dalla Vida

Palazzo Gussoni Grimani Dalla Vida is a palace in Venice, located in the Cannaeregio district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Casa Velluti and Palazzetto Da Lezze.

SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO GUSSONI GRIMANI DALLA VIDA

The palace was designed by the architect Michele Sanmicheli, and built between 1548 and 1556 for the Gussoni family.

Between 1614 and 1618, Palazzo Gussoni Grimani Dalla Vida was the residence of the English diplomat Sir Henry Wotton, the Doge’s counselor at that time, and also the author of a limited number of poems and translations.

During the 17th century, the edifice served as the headquarters for the Accademia Delfica, founded in 1647 by Francesco Gussoni.

In 1736, after the death of the last member of the Gussoni family, the palace was transfered to the next of kin, the Minio family.

In 1978, the building was sold to the Grimani family, and starting with 1814 it was owned by the Dalla Vida family, recognized as the last owners. Today, the palace is the property of the Italian state.

ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO GUSSONI GRIMANI DALLA VIDA

The main facade overlooking the Grand Canal is characterized by a horizontal and vertical tripartition.

At the center of the composition, two four-light windows with balconies stand out, one superimposed on the other.

From an architectural point of view, the first noble floor is more valuable than the second one, due to the presence of the projecting balcony and the upper cornice.

The facade is divided into sectors by the presence of numerous cornices, one of which serves simultaneously as a connection to the four-light window and as a base for the curvilinear tympanums of the secondary openings.

The facade of the palace was initially adorned with Jacopo Tintoretto’s frescoes, inspired by Michelangelo’s sculptures, frescoes that disappeared in time due to moisture.

The interior courtyard was decorated with frescoes by Giovanni Battista Zelotti illustrating Hercules’ life.

HOW TO GET TO PALAZZO GUSSONI GRIMANI DALLA VIDA

Palazzo Gussoni Grimani Dalla Vida is located about 1.2 kilometers away from the Santa Lucia railway station. The closest vaporetto stop, located on the same bank, is San Marcuola, about 500 meters away, on the waterbus Lines 1 and 2.