Palazzos of Venice

Palazzo means “palace” and Venice is full of them. The city was once a vast political and economic power, full of nobility, and the upper classes built beautiful, luxurious homes for themselves. Today, Venice is densely populated, and the price of real estate is expensive. As such, few people can afford to own and maintain these spacious, antique buildings. Many of them have been converted into hotels, museums, and galleries, and are open for visitors and tours.

Visiting a palazzo is a fantastic way to see art and architecture, mosaics and embellishments that aren’t visible from the outside of the building. And they also offer insight into the daily life of the nobility of Venice, where you can often see antique furniture and clothing, or the small docks where private, luxury gondolas were kept (similar to carriage-houses in other cities). Touring a palazzo is a look back in time, and here are some of the best:

Doge’s Palace

The headliner, of course, is the Doge’s Palace, or Palazzo Ducale. The Doge ruled the Republic of Venice from his palace at the entrance to San Marco Square. The architecture is Venetian Gothic, and visitors can tour the courtyard, the Doge’s apartments, the institutional rooms, even the prisons and the Bridge of Sighs. Every room is full of art and history, and it is a must-see in Venice.

Ca’ Rezzonico

Ca’ Rezzonico is a palazzo on the Grand Canal that houses a museum of 18th century Venice. It was decorated by many of the most important artists of its day, and today holds many of the best-preserved frescoes in Venice. The collection of historic art and artifacts from Venice are perfectly displayed in this setting, which was designed for rich embellishments, and it is full of important paintings and decorative art from the period.

Palazzo Mocinego

The Mocinegos were one of Venice’s most important families, and their palazzo was extensively redesigned and rebuilt in the Gothic style at the beginning of the 17th century. In the 18th century, it was frescoed by the best Ventian artists of its day. Today, it is home to the Museum of Textiles and Costumes, and offers special insights into the history of Venice.

Palazzo Grassi

Palazzo Grassi is a sophisticated 18th century neoclassical-inspired building by Giorgio Massari. It is now a contemporary art museum in Venice that exhibits artworks from one of the largest collections of contemporary art in the world. 

Ca’ d’Oro

This 15th century palazzo is one of the oldest in Venice, and the stunning facade overlooking the Grand Canal is a highlight of the architecture of the city. The Ca d’Oro is now a museum of the collection of Giorgio Franchetti, featuring important works of art by Italian and Flemish artists, mainly on religious topics. The mosaic in the stunning inner courtyard was made by Giorgio Franchetti himself.

Ca’ Sagredo

This 14th century Byzantine-Gothic style palazzo is now a luxurious 5-star hotel situated in the heart of Venice. It is listed as a National Monument and overlooks the magnificent Grand Canal. Located in close proximity to major destinations such as St. Mark’s Square, Rialto Bridge and Ca’ d’Oro make this an ideal home base for exploring the charming city of Venice. The hotel’s restoration has enhanced the original noble features of the building, and artworks from some of the greatest Venetian painters of the 17th and 18th century decorate the walls.

Ca’ Pesaro

This Baroque palace is made of marble and also faces the Grand Canal. Unfortunately, the massive art collection accumulated by the Pesaros was auctioned off when the last family member died in 1830. The building itself changed hands a few times before it was bequeathed to the city to become a museum of modern art. Today, the collection engages in a lively dialogue with the Bienalle, either augmented by or in counter to the pieces featured there.

Many of these buildings and collections are available with the purchase of a Venice museum pass. Other palazzos (often also called “Ca”, short for “Casa” or house, out of respect to the true palaces of the Doge, the Bishop, and the Patriarch) are open for individual visits or tours on different schedules. Some palazzos are also open on Mondays, which is a great time to see them, since so many museums and attractions are closed on Mondays.

There are more than 200 palazzos in Venice, and many of them are not simply statement pieces where the wealthy and important display their power and prestige. They are also part of a dialogue with each other, where styles and materials are tried, proven, and reused, or where painters, craftsmen, and architects practiced and perfected their skills. It is fitting that so many of them have passed into public hands, because they are increasingly part of a Venetian, Italian, and European cultural legacy that belongs to everyone.

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