All SEE in Venice

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 [...]

Palazzo Tiepolo Passi, also known as Palazzetto Tiepolo or Palazzo Tiepoletto Passi, is a palace in Venice, located in the San Polo district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal, between Palazzo Soranzo Pisani and Palazzo Giustinian Persico.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO TIEPOLO PASSI Palazzo Tiepolo Passi has a narrow and tall shape spread over four levels. However, only the first noble floor has architectural merits. The ground floor has a stone base and a water portal with architrave positioned on the right of the facade. The first noble floor has, on the left, a small balcony with a mullioned window with trefoil arches, separated by a central column. On the right of the facade, there are two single-lancet windows also with trefoil arches. The other floors have four openings corresponding to the windows below.   HOW TO GET TO PALAZZO TIEPOLO PASSI The palace is located about 1.1 kilometers on foot from the Santa Lucia railway station. The closest vaporetto stop is San Toma, about 200 meters away, on the waterbus Lines 1 and 2.

Palazzo Soranzo Pisani is a palace in Venice, located in the San Polo district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Tiepolo and Palazzo Tiepolo Passi.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO SORANZO PISANI The facade of the palace is a mixture of Gothic and Renaissance styles. The ground floor, without mezzanine, has a water portal of modest dimensions, positioned towards the left side of the facade. The first noble floor has a central five-lancet window and two pairs of lateral single-lancet windows, all with an indented frame. The single-lancet windows have balconies. The second noble floor follows the openings of the first floor, but the windows have round arches, and there is a small balcony placed in front of the three central lights of the pentafora (five-light window).   HOW TO GET TO PALAZZO SORANZO PISANI Palazzo Soranzo Pisani is located about 1.1 kilometers on foot from the Santa Lucia railway station. The closest vaporetto stop is San Toma, about 200 meters away, on the waterbus Lines 1 and 2.

Palazzo Tiepolo is a Renaissance palace in Venice, located in the San Polo district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Soranzo Pisani and Palazzo Pisani Moretta.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO TIEPOLO Palazzo Tiepolo was built around the middle of the 16th century on the site of an ancient structure, probably of Venetian-Byzantine origin.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO TIEPOLO The facade of the palace, in early Renaissance style, is divided by three stringcourses and spread over four levels: ground floor, two noble floors and a mezzanine. The ground floor is characterized by the presence of twin arched portals in the center. On each of the noble floors, there is a quadrifora (four-light window) with central arches and a balcony. On the sides of the quadrifora, there are two pairs of single-lancet windows in the same style, without a balcony. On the facade, there are still visible the remains of the frescoes made by Andrea Meldola, also known as the Schiavone. Above the eaves line, there is a dormer. The interior of the palace is decorated with polychrome stuccos, while the portego (porch) is embellished with valuable frescoes by Jacopo Guarana.   HOW TO GET TO PALAZZO TIEPOLO The palace Read more [...]

Palazzo Pisani Moretta is a Gothic palace in Venice, located in the San Polo district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Barbarigo della Terrazza and Palazzo Tiepolo.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO PISANI MORETTA Palazzo Pisani Moretta was built in the second half of the 15th century by the Bembo family. In 1629, the palace became the residence of a branch of the noble Pisani family, the Pisani Morettas, whose name derives from the mispronunciation of Almorò Pisani, founder of the family. Later, the palace was owned by Francesco Pisani Moretta, the last male descendant of the family. In 1737, the building passed to the daughter of Francesco, Chiara, who married a member of the Pisani dal Banco family. Chiara restructured the building by demolishing the external staircase and replacing it with the grand staircase by Andrea Tirali, and had the internal rooms frescoed by the most popular painters of her era. Chiara’s son, Vettor, secretly married the bourgeois Teresa Dalla Vedova and had a son with her, named Pietro, not recognized by his father. Vettor also had a second wife and a second daughter, who married Filippo Barbarigo. As the two lived in adjacent residences, the palaces were Read more [...]

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 [...]

Palazzo Boldù a San Felice, also known as Palazzo Boldù Ghisi, is a palace in Venice, located in the Cannaregio district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzetto Da Lezze and Palazzo Contarini Pisani.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO BOLDÙ A SAN FELICE Palazzo Boldù a San Felice was built during the 16th century at the behest of the Boldù family. Towards the end of the 17th century, the palace became the property of the Ghisi family, who rebuilt it. Subsequently, the palace was purchased by the Contarini family, owners of the adjacent Palazzo Contarini Pisani. The Contarini family wanted to unify the two buildings, but the project never went through.   ART AND ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO BOLDÙ A SAN FELICE The facade of the palace is asymmetrical, with the main openings to the right. The ground floor is covered with rustic ashlar, while the upper floors are plastered with Istrian stone. On the first noble floor, there is a serliana (Palladian or Venetian window), while on the second noble floor there is a trifora of equal width. The left side of the facade has on each floor a pair of single-lancet windows. Inside, are worth mentioning the frescoes in Read more [...]

Palazzo Papadopoli, also known as Palazzo Coccina Tiepolo Papadopoli, is a palace in Venice, located in the San Polo district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Giustinian Businello and Palazzo Donà a Sant’Aponal, opposite Palazzo Grimani di San Luca.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO PAPADOPOLI Palazzo Papadopoli was built in the second half of the 16th century on a piece of land which previously housed some buildings dating back to the 14th century. The palace was commissioned by the Coccina family from Bergamo, who moved to Venice to became part of the Venetian patriciate, to Giangiacomo dei Grigi, also from Bergamo, son of the more famous architect Guglielmo dei Grigi. The construction of the palace probably started in 1560 and the building was completed around 1570. Palazzo Papadopoli housed a rich collection of canvases, some of them by Paolo Veronese, among which the most famous is The presentation of the Coccina family to the Virgin. After beeing the residence of the Coccina family for many years, Palazzo Papadopoli was sold to Francesco d’Este, Duke of Modena, and in 1748 to the Tiepolo family. In 1745, the remaining part of the art gallery was sold to the Elector of Saxony Read more [...]

Palazzo Grassi, also known as Palazzo Grassi-Stucky, is a palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal. The palace is the last patrician residence built on the Grand Canal before the collapse of the Republic of Venice at the end of the 18th century.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO GRASSI The land on which Palazzo Grassi stands today was purchased in several phases by the Grassi family between 1732 and 1745. The work on the new building began in 1748, a fact confirmed by a document dating back to that year. The palace was completed in 1772, the year of Paolo Grassi’s death. Between 1840 and 1875, due to the rapid and complete extinction of the Grassi family, the palace had four different owners. In 1840, Palazzo Grassi was sold to the Venetian commercial company of Spiridione Papadopoli, and in 1844 to the opera tenor Antonio Poggi. Almost immediately, Poggi sold the palace to the Hungarian József Agost Shöfft, an internationally renowned painter, and after his death the building was inherited by Giuseppina Lindlau, his second wife. In 1857, the building was sold to a wealthy Greek financier, Baron Simone de Sina, who made Read more [...]

Via Giuseppe Garibaldi is a street in Venice, located in the eastern part of the city, in the Castello district (sestiere).   SHORT HISTORY OF VIA GIUSEPPE GARIBALDI Via Giuseppe Garibaldi was built in 1807, to connect the Canal of Saint Peter (Canale di San Pietro) with the Basin of Saint Mark (Bacino San Marco) in a straight line. The architect Giannantonio Selva, who was part of the Commission for the urban planning and architectural management of Venice, was entrusted with the work. To obtain the necessary space, various churches, convents and the Hospital of the Sailors (Spedale dei Marinai), located in the Church of San Nicolò di Castello, were demolished. Originally, the street was called Strada Nuova dei Giardini (New Street of the Gardens) because it led to the Public Gardens. Later, it was called Via Eugenia, in honor of Eugene of Beauharnais, the viceroy of Italy, stepson of Napoleon Bonaparte. In 1866, after the entry of Giuseppe Garibaldi’s troops into Venice, the street was dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, to whom a monument was later erected at the entrance to the Gardens. Between 1993 and 1996, repaving and rehabilitation works were carried out with the aim of redeveloping the Read more [...]

Canale di San Donato is a watercourse on the beautiful island of Murano, in Venice.   DESCRIPTION OF CANALE DI SAN DONATO The Canal of Saint Donatus is preceded by Canale San Giovanni to the south and divides into Canale Zenobio to the north and Canale di San Mattia to the west. The canal has a length of about 700 meters and a width between 15 and 25 meters.   ARCHITECTURE Canale di San Donato has on its banks some remarkable monuments. The most important of them is the Basilica of Santa Maria e San Donato, also known as Duomo di Murano, one of the oldest churches in the Venetian Lagoon. The church was originally built in the 7th century and rebuilt in the 11th century. According to legend, the church contains the relics of Saint Donatus of Euroea and three large bones behind the altar said to be the bones of a dragon slain by the saint. On the banks of the canal, we can find ancient structures, such as Palazzo Giustinian, which houses the Glass Museum of Murano (Museo del Vetro), the former Monastery of San Martino, Ca’ Trevisan, Ca’ Pesaro-Pavanello, Palazzo Cappello, and the Tiepolo House (Casa Read more [...]

Rio dei Vetrai is a small watercourse in Venice, located on the beautiful island of Murano. The canal is dedicated to the local glassmakers (vetrai meaning glassmakers), and on its banks you can find many ancient glass factories.   DESCRIPTION OF RIO DEI VETRAI Rio dei Vetrai has a length of about 500 meters and connects the Grand Canal of Murano, to the north, with Canale dei Marani, to the south.   ARCHITECTURE The Church of San Pietro Martire is a church located on the western bank of the canal, in its northern part, dedicated to Saint Peter Martyr, a 13th-century Catholic priest. Across the canal, there is the former Church of Santo Stefano, dedicated to Saint Stephen, with its beautiful Clock Tower (Torre dell’Orologio), one of the symbols of Murano. The banks of the canal (Fondamenta Daniele Manin on the eastern bank and Fondamenta dei Vetrai on the western one) house many of the Murano glassworks. Among others, there are the former Franchetti Murano Glassworks from the 19th century, the Gino Mazzuccato Furnace, the CAM Furnace from the 16th century, the AVEM Glassworks founded in 1830, and the Mosaic Factory from the 16th century. On the banks of the Read more [...]

Palazzo Querini Benzon is a palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between the small Casa De Spirit and Casa Tornielli.   SHORT HISTORY The palace was built in the early 18th century, and became famous thanks to Marina Querini, wife of Pietro Giovanni Benzon, who at the end of the Republic of Venice made her residence one of the most renowned literary Venetians salons, thanks to the frequentation of many important artists of the time.   ARCHITECTURE The palace has no particular architectural merits. It has a water portal with a staircase, a noble floor with four-light windows with round arches, flanked by two pairs of single-light windows, all with balconies. The second floor was added in 1897, as a less valuable imitation of the noble floor. Above the cornice, in a central position, there is a balustrade terrace. The entire facade is plastered, with the exception of the ground floor, which is covered in stone, except for the mezzanine.   HOW TO GET THERE On foot, Palazzo Querini Benzon is located about 2.3 kilometers away from the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station. The closest vaporetto stop is Sant’Angelo, located about 240 Read more [...]

Palazzo D’Anna Viaro Martinengo Volpi di Misurata, also known as Palazzo Talenti D’Anna Volpi, is a palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere). The palace overlooks the Grand Canal between Palazzo Tron a San Beneto and Casa Marinoni.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO D’ANNA VIARO MARTINENGO VOLPI DI MISURATA Built in the early 16th century at the behest of the Talenti family, it soon passed to the wealthy Flemish merchant Martino D’Anna. The expansion of the building, which took place around the middle of the 17th century, is due to the subsequent owners, the Viaro, an ancient Venetian family. During the 18th century, the building changed ownership again, initially by inheritance to the Venetian patricians Foscarini, and subsequently to the Martinengo counts. In the 19th century, the palace became the property of Count Giovanni Conti. In 1917, the entrepreneur Giuseppe Volpi became the owner. In 1925, he was awarded the title of Count of Misrata.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO D’ANNA VIARO MARTINENGO VOLPI DI MISURATA At first glance, the facade of the building appears to be divided into four sections with two alternating structural types, but looking more carefully, we see that the first section on the Read more [...]

Palazzo Corner Spinelli is a palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal, across the canal from Palazzo Querini Dubois.   SHORT HISTORY The palace was commissioned by the Lando family, most probably to the architect Mauro Codussi. It was built between 1480 and 1490. In 1542, the palace was sold, due to the disastrous economic situation of the Lando family. It passed to the Corner family, who entrusted Michele Sanmicheli and Giorgio Vasari with the task of modernizing the interior of the building. The facade was preserved, while the whole rear part was rebuilt. The interventions relating to the interiors are attributable to the Classic style: use of columns and round arches, as well as the insertion of fireplaces in all the main rooms. Between 1740 and 1810, the palace was rented to the Spinelli family. Later, it was bought by the Cornoldi family. In 1850, it became the property of the dancer Maria Taglioni, also owner of Palazzo Giustinian Lolin, Palazzo Barzizza and Ca’ d’Oro.   ARCHITECTURE Palazzo Corner Spinelli is a beautiful example of the transition from the Gothic forms, predominant in Venice up to the 15th century, to the new Read more [...]

Palazzo Garzoni is a Gothic palace in Venice, located in the San Marco district (sestiere). The palace overlooks the Grand Canal, between Rio di Ca’ Garzoni and Fondaco Marcello.   SHORT HISTORY OF PALAZZO GARZONI The Garzoni family, originally from Bologna, settled in Venice towards the end of the 13th century. In the 17th century, they acquired this palace built in the 15th century, which became known by their name since then. Until 2019, the palace was owned by the Ca’ Foscari University, which established the language faculty there. In 2019, it was aquired by an anonymous buyer through the famous British auction house Sotheby’s for an unspecified price.   ARCHITECTURE OF PALAZZO GARZONI The palace has three floors and an attic. On the ground floor, there is the water portal with a round arch, flanked by four small windows, two oval windows above and two rectangular below. Each of the two noble floors have a central ogival four-lancet window and two pairs of lateral single-light windows, all closed by balconies. Between the third floor and the attic, there is a bas-relief with two cupids holding an empty shield, where the family coat of arms once stood.   TIP: To Read more [...]

Ca’ Rezzonico is one of the most famous palaces in Venice, located in the Dorsoduro district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Contarini Michiel and Palazzo Bernardo Nani.   SHORT HISTORY The palace was designed in 1649 by Baldassarre Longhena for the Bon family. The construction began only in 1667, with the demolition of the existing buildings. Due to the economic difficulties of the family and the death of Longhena in 1682, the construction was abandoned. Only the facade towards the Grand Canal and a first floor were completed. The Della Torre-Rezzonico family settled in Venice in 1687. A member of this family, Giambattista, bought the building in 1751. He entrusted the project to Giorgio Massari, who built the second floor in 1752, and completed the palace in 1758. Between the autumn of 1847 and 1848, the palace was the residence of Carlos María Isidro of Spain, protected by the Austrian government. In 1888, it was bought by Robert Barrett Browning, son of the English writers Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Browning, who restored it thanks to the financial support of his wife, the American Fannie Coddington. In 1906, Robert Barrett Browning, ignoring an offer made to him by Read more [...]

Palazzo Salviati is a beautiful palace in Venice, located in the Dorsoduro district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Barbaro Wolkoff and Palazzo Orio Semitecolo Benzon.   SHORT HISTORY The Salviati glass factory was founded in 1859 by Antonio Salviati. The palace was built as an exhibition venue and a furnace for the factory between 1903 and 1906, based on a design by the architect Giacomo Dell’Olivo. In 1924, the building underwent a profound renovation, which involved the raising with a floor and the placement of a large mosaic on the facade.   ARCHITECTURE The facade of the palace, which has a rather simple appearance, would be devoid of any interest without the presence of the large central mosaic, on the sides of which there are two single-lancet windows. On the upper floor, there are four windows with small balconies. The ground floor is dominated by three large arches.   HOW TO GET THERE Palazzo Salviati is located about 2.3 kilometers on foot from the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station. The closest vaporetto stop is Accademia, about 300 meters away, on the waterbus Lines 1 and 2.

The Church of San Lorenzo is a church in Venice, located in the Castello district (sestiere), overlooking Campo San Lorenzo. Together with the Chapel of San Sebastiano, the church was part of the Benedictine monastery of the same name.   SHORT HISTORY The church was built starting with 809, at the behest of Doge Agnello Partecipazio. In 1007, the Chapel of San Sebastiano was built next to San Lorenzo by the future Doge Ottone Orseolo. The church and the chapel were badly damaged in the disastrous fire of 1105. In 1592, the rebuilding of the Church of San Lorenzo began, on a project by Simone Sorella. The church was completed in 1602 and rededicated in 1617. The facade remained unfinished. The Chapel of San Sebastiano was also rebuilt between 1629 and 1632, with other interventions in 1748. On April 25, 1810, after the suppression of all religious orders, the nuns left the monastery, all the assets passed into the hands of the state, and the religious complex was closed. In 1821, the church passed under municipal administration, and in 1853 it was restored. In 1875, San Lorenzo was transformed into a hospital, in 1946 it became an infirmary for the Read more [...]

Palazzo Pesaro Papafava is a palace in Venice, located in the Cannaregio district (sestiere), overlooking Canale della Misericordia. The palace stands across the canal from Scuola Grande di Santa Maria della Misericordia.   SHORT HISTORY Palazzo Pesaro Papafava was built at the beginning of the 15th century. It was owned by the Pesaro family until Pesarina Pesaro married Bonifacio Papafava, in 1615.   ARCHITECTURE The palace has a facade developed on four floors, characterized by a prevalence of Gothic elements. The expressive power of the facade is concentrated in the central axis, formed by the superimposition of two four-light windows with a small balcony between. Each four-light window is flanked by two pairs of single windows. On the ground floor, there is the pointed water portal, flanked by four single-light windows. The left body, which has rounded openings, is more recent.   HOW TO GET THERE Palazzo Pesaro Papafava is located about 1.5 kilometers away from the Venezia Santa Lucia railway station. The closest waterbus stop is Fondamente Nove, on the vaporetto Lines 4.1, 4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 12, 13 and 22.

Rio dell’Arsenale is a watercourse in Venice, located in the sestiere (district) of Castello, near the Venetian Arsenal (Arsenale di Venezia). Initially called Rio de la Madonna, the canal was later named after the Venetian Arsenal.   DESCRIPTION Rio dell’Arsenale has a length of about 260 meters, and practically expands Canale delle Galeazze, the main artery of the Venetian Arsenal, towards the south, where it joins the San Marco Basin.   ARCHITECTURE From north to south, along its course, we can see the magnificent gate of the Arsenal of Venice, Ponte dell’Arsenale, also know as Ponte del Paradiso, the Naval History Museum of Venice (Museo Storico Navale di Venezia), Campo San Biagio with the Church of San Biagio, and finally, before the canal joins the San Marco Basin, Ponte San Biasio delle Catene. Porta Magna, the main gate of the Arsenal of Venice, was built around 1460 in Venetian Renaissance style. The gate was probably built by Antonio Gambello after a design by Jacopo Bellini. Two sculptures of lions were brought from Greece in 1687, and placed in front of the gate. The Naval History Museum is a museum owned by the Italian Navy. The museum collects historical evidence concerning Read more [...]

Palazzo Barbaro Wolkoff is a palace in Venice, located in the Dorsoduro district (sestiere), overlooking the Grand Canal between Palazzo Dario and Palazzo Salviati.   SHORT HISTORY Palazzo Barbaro Wolkoff was probably built before the 14th century, in Venetian-Byzantine style. In the 15th century, the palace was renovated in Gothic style. In 1894, the Italian actress Eleonora Duse, rated by many as the greatest of her time, lived for a while on the top floor of the palace as a guest of the Russian botanist and painter Alexander Wolkoff-Muromtsev, who recently bought the building.   ARCHITECTURE The palace, built almost entirely of red bricks, has five floors: ground floor, mezzanine, main floor (piano nobile) and two upper floors. The facade is dominated by the hexafora (six-light window) of the noble floor, enclosed by a serrated frame. Other Gothic elements are the water portal, and the windows on the upper floors: a bifora and a quadrifora on the fourth floor, and a trifora and a monofora on the fifth floor.   HOW TO GET THERE The closest vaporetto stop is Salute, located about 210 meters away, on the waterbus Line 1, although the best place to admire the palace is across Read more [...]

Rio del Ponte Longo is a watercourse in Venice, located on the island of Giudecca, in the sestiere (district) of Dorsoduro.   DESCRIPTION Rio del Ponte Longo has a length of about 300 meters and a width varying between 30 and 40 meters. It crosses the island of Giudecca from north to south, where it joins the Giudecca Canal. The canal is crossed by Ponte Longo (Long Bridge), connecting Fondamenta Ponte Longo and Fondamenta San Giacomo. The bridge was originally built of wood in 1340, to connect the older part of the island with the newer one. Later, the wooden bridge was replaced by an iron bridge.   HOW TO GET THERE The closest vaporetto stop is Redentore, about 350 meters away, on the waterbus Lines 2, 4.1 and 4.2.

Canal Grande di Murano (Grand Canal of Murano) is the main watercourse of Murano, which flows from east to west for about 1.3 kilometers, dividing the island in two.   DESCRIPTION From east to west, the canal has three distinctive parts: Canale San Giovanni, Canale Ponte Longo and Canale degli Angeli. The first part, Canale San Giovanni, flows from south to north, has a length of about 300 meters and a width of 60-70 meters. At one point, Canale San Giovanni intersects with Canale di San Donato, which flows to the northeast, and changes its course to the west, transforming into Canale Ponte Longo. The second part, Canale Ponte Longo, has a length of about 300 meters and a width of about 40 meters. It stretches from the intersection with Canale di San Donato up to Ponte Longo, the only bridge crossing the Grand Canal of Murano. After the bridge, to the west, there is the third part of Canal Grande di Murano: Canale degli Angeli. This part has a length of about 700 meters, and a width between 40 and 150 meters. It flows into the Venetian Lagoon, west of Murano.   ARCHITECTURE The only bridge over the Grand Read more [...]

Palazzo Mocenigo is a palace in Venice, located on the Giudecca island, in the Dorsoduro district (sestiere), not far from the Church of Santa Maria della Presentazione.   SHORT HISTORY Palazzo Mocenigo was built in the 16th century for the Mocenigo family, as a summer residence, in a time when the island of Giudecca was an area of gardens and places to relax. The palace was the favorite summer residence of the doge Alvise Mocenigo. Between the 17th and 19th centuries, the palace was remodeled, losing many characteristic elements. Today, the interior is heavily modified, and the palace houses numerous mini-apartments.   ARCHITECTURE Palazzo Mocenigo is a two-storey building, with a long rusticated facade in Istrian stone. The ground floor has a series of small quadrangular windows, and a small portal in the center. The noble floor (piano nobile) is characterized by eight arched single-light windows, each equipped with a wrought iron railing and a keystone mask on top. The attic has eight oculi added in the 19th century, corresponding to the windows below. In a central position, on the roof, there is a 19th-century dormer window with three openings. The southern facade is well preserved and overlooks the private Read more [...]