Magnificent palaces of Venice. The most beautiful palaces in Venice Palaces in Venice 7 letters crossword puzzle

When visiting the central part of Venice, taking a walk along the Grand Canal, tourists turn their attention to the magnificent facades of ancient palaces. Over the course of many centuries, the palace complex of Venice was created. The periods of development and prosperity of the Venetian Republic fell under the influence of different styles: Byzantine, Gothic and Romanesque. Also, a huge contribution belongs to the Renaissance.

According to historical information, only the Doge's Palace could be called a palace. The remaining buildings were to be called "Ka" (from Casa), which means "house". Later, the mansions began to be called “Palazzo”, i.e. Palace. Every influential Venetian family considered it their duty to build a mansion, or even several. Eventually, the names of these houses began to reflect the surnames of the owners. The best craftsmen were invited to build and decorate family palaces: architects, sculptors and artists.

Doge's Palace is the main attraction of Venice, a great monument to the Italian gothic architecture. Located on St. Mark's Square near the cathedral of the same name. The construction of the modern building took place around 1309-1424, presumably by the architect Filippo Calendario. Part of the palace was destroyed by fire in 1577. The building was rebuilt by Antonio de Ponti (author of the Rialto Bridge).

First of all, the main building of the city represented the residence of the Doges of the Republic. Meetings were held here Great Council and the Senate, the Supreme Court and the secret police worked. In addition, the building housed the offices of lawyers, the naval department, the office and censor services. Built-on balcony in holidays served as a tribune from where the Doge appeared before the people.

The Doge's Palace, St. Mark's Cathedral, the Library of San Marco and other buildings represent the main architectural ensemble of Venice.

At first it may seem that the architectural elements of the palace are interconnected in an illogical, unexpected and accidental way. However, everything here is attractive, bright and fresh, full of joy and life, artistically rich and intelligent.

Ca d'Oro (Palazzo Santa Sofia) It is considered the most elegant palace built in the Venetian style. It is located on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio area. The palace has a different name - “Golden House”, due to the fact that gold leaf was used during the first decoration. In addition, ultramarine and vermilion (cinnabar) were used in decoration. The palace is an example of Venetian Gothic architecture.

The palace building in the Gothic style was erected in the 15th century, the authors of the project were the architect Giovanni Bon and his son Bartolomeo Bon. This site was previously occupied by a Byzantine-style building, Palazzo Zeno. Old Palace demolished, but fragments of it were preserved in the façade of Ca' d'Oro.

During its existence, the palace building repeatedly changed owners and was rebuilt. In 1894, the palace was acquired by Baron Giorgio Franchetti. Based on surviving paintings and drawings, he reconstructed the mansion, returning it to its historical appearance. The baron collected a rich collection of paintings. Later, the palace and the collection became the property of the state.

From 1927 to the present day, the Franchetti Gallery has been located in Ca d'Oro.

Ca' Foscari or Palazzo Foscari at one time belonged to Doge Francesco Foscari. The building is located in the Dorsoduro district on a wide curve of the Grand Canal, where during the historic Regatta a floating wooden structure known as the "Machina" is located (from where the Venetian authorities monitor the races and present awards).

Foscari Palace was built in 1452 according to the design of Bartolomeo Bon. Nowadays the University of Ca' Foscari operates here.

Ca' Foscari represents a typical example of the residence of the Venetian nobility and merchants. There was a warehouse in the basement. The first and second floors were used as housing, they are called “Piano nobile”. On the second floor, the central arcade is modeled after the façade of the loggia of the Palazzo Ducale. An arcade representing a large central window illuminates Big hall, there are smaller windows on both sides.

Palazzo Foscari is one of the very large buildings with the most impressive courtyard of a private house that can be seen in Venice. The main entrance was located on the canal side, since the main activity was trade. For this reason, the facade of the house facing the Grand Canal looks much more beautiful than the facade from the courtyard.

The external façade is made up of a series of arches, windows and columns belonging to the Gothic style. The columns are decorated with a quatrefoil and a lion. The decorative composition above the polyphora consists of a lion, a helmet, angels, where the lion is the symbol of Venice; the helmet recalls the reign of Doge Francesco Foscari; angels with a shield - the coat of arms of the Foscari family.

Ca' da Mosto- a palace in the Cannaregio area. Built in the 13th century in Veneto-Byzantine style, it is the oldest building on the Grand Canal.

Initially, the palace was created as the house of a merchant - the owner of the building. A second floor was added at the beginning of the 16th century, and a third in the 19th century. The palace is named after the traveler Alvise da Mosto, who was born in 1432 in this house. The building remained in the possession of the da Mosto family until 1603.

In the 16th to 18th centuries the palace housed the famous White Lion Hotel.

Currently, the palace is empty, as the past floods damaged the foundation of the building, and it needs restoration. The building is owned by Count Francesco da Mosto, an Italian architect and producer whose life goal is to restore the palace.

Ka' Dario or Palazzo Dario located in the Dorsoduro area. One side of the palace faces the Grand Canal, the other faces Barbaro Square. The palace building is a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture. The mosaic facade made of bright marble attracts special attention.

The palace was built in 1487 by order of a representative of the Venetian nobility, Giovanni Dario, in the classical Renaissance style.

At one time, the owner of the mansion was the French poet Henri de Regnier, who lived in the mansion at the end of the 19th century. The palace is famous for the fact that one of the weddings of the famous film director Woody Allen took place here.

However, the building gained a bad reputation as a “cursed palace.” The owners of the mansion more than once became bankrupt or committed suicide, and were subjected to violence. The last tragedy happened here in 1993, when the richest Italian industrialist shot himself after a corruption scandal broke out.

Palazzo Mocenigo located on the Grand Canal, is a complex of four adjacent palaces from the 16th and 17th centuries. The two middle palaces are identical.

In 1621, Lady Arundel, the wife of a British diplomat, settled in the first palazzo. The Council of Ten immediately received anonymous denunciations that the house was often visited by Antonio Foscarini, the former Venetian ambassador to London. Antonio Foscarini had already been convicted of treason, but was eventually acquitted. This time the Council of Ten made a tough decision. Foscarini was arrested and executed. Later it turned out that the poor fellow had been slandered: the relationship with the lady was purely amorous. The body was removed from the grave and buried with honors, and notices were posted around the city in which the Council of Ten admitted their regrettable mistake.

The last palace was owned by Giovanni Mocenigo, who for some period patronized Giordano Bruno, who visited this palazzo. However, Giovanni Mocenigo then sent a denunciation to the Council of Ten, accusing Bruno of heresy. Submitting to the papal verdict, the Venetian Senate agreed to extradite the thinker to Rome, where he was burned in 1600.

In 1818-1819, Lord Byron lodged in the Palazzo Mocenigo.

Ca' Pesaro located on the Grand Canal in the Santa Croce area. The author is the architect Baldassare Longhena. Construction was completed in 1710.

Duchess Felicita Bevilacqua la Masa bequeathed her house to the city in 1899. The International Gallery of Modern Art has been operating in Ca' Pesaro since 1902. The palace also houses a museum of oriental art.

Palazzo Dandolo

The palace was built by the Dandolo family in 1400.

During its existence the building had a large number of owners. The Gritti family acquired the palace in 1536. After Gritti, the palazzo was owned by representatives of the Michele, Mocenigo, and Bernardo families.

In the 1630s, the new owners of the palace turned it into a popular gambling house in the city, where the rules of the establishment included playing in masks. After some time, at the insistence of the authorities, the casino was closed.

Today, Palazzo Dandollo houses a luxury hotel Hotel Royal Danieli.

Ca' Rezzonico located on the Grand Canal in the Dorsoduro area. The palace has housed the Museum of 18th-century Venice since 1936.

The author of the project is the architect Baldassare Longhena. Construction under the direction of Giorgio Massari was completed only in 1745, many years after Longen's death. The interior contains grandiose frescoes by the Italian master Tiepolo.

Palazzo Labia located in the Cannaregio area, on the Cannaregio Canal. Not far from the palace, across the square, is the Church of San Jeremiah. Palazzo Labia is one of the last “great” palaces of Venice, built at the beginning of the 18th century in the Baroque style.

The interior is decorated with frescoes by Tiepolo.

Palazzo Barbarigo located on the Grand Canal. Here in 1625 the Italian cardinal, theologian, Saint Gregorio Barbarigo was born.

The building was built in the 16th century, at the height of the Renaissance. The palace has three floors: the lower open loggia overlooked the canal, the upper two floors also with open loggias were decorated with columns.

The owners of the building, owners of glass production, decorated the façade of the palazzo with Murano glass mosaics in 1886. After the work was completed, the aristocratic neighbors criticized the then new owners as nouveau riche, who completed the decoration of the palace contrary to the noble facades of nearby buildings.

However, the modern appearance of the palazzo is one of the most striking and memorable on the entire Grand Canal.

Today, part of the building is used as a showroom and a store selling Murano glass.

Palazzo Barbaro consists of two palaces adjacent to each other in the San Marco area, on the Grand Canal. Located next to the Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti.

The palaces were built for the Barbaro family. The first of them was built in 1425 in the Gothic style. The second was designed in 1694 in Baroque style.

The old palazzo was visited by many famous personalities in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Among the guests of the Curtis family of American millionaires were Claude Monet, Robert Browning, John Singer Sargent, Isabella Gardner, James Whistler. Writer Henry James wrote his work “The Aspern Papers” in this mansion.

Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti located on the Grand Canal, near the Accademia Bridge, in the San Marco area. The palace has housed the Institute of Sciences, Literature and Art since 1999.

The palace building was built in the 15th century. Completely reconstructed while preserving the architectural forms of late Gothic in 1871-1882. The work was led by the architects Giambattista Meduna and Camillo Boito.

Palazzo Grassi located on the Grand Canal in the San Marco area.

The palace was built by the architect Giorgio Massari in the 18th century.

In the 20th century, the Fiat automobile concern acquired and restored the palace to host major art exhibitions. In 2005, the building was reconstructed according to the design of architect Tadao Ando.

At the beginning of 2005, the building, retaining its function as an exhibition hall, was sold to the casino.

Palazzo Corner Spinelli located in the San Marco area, on the Grand Canal.

The palace is one of the best Renaissance palaces in Venice. The building was built by the architect Mauro Coducci in 1480-1500. Architectural features include double arched windows rounded at the top and rusticated stonework on the ground floor. The palace served as a prototype for many city buildings.

The building was transferred to the Korner family in 1542. Under the new owners, architect Michele Sanmichele completely redesigned the interiors of the palace.

In the 20th century, the famous collector Giuseppe Salom became the owner of the building, who collected a significant collection of paintings by Pietro Longhi and his contemporaries.

Palazzo Grimani located on the Rio di San Luca canal, where it flows into the Grand Canal. Built during the Renaissance for Doge Antonio Grimani, the current appearance dates back to 1556-1575.

After the death of Antonio Grimani, in the years 1532-1569, the palazzo was successively rebuilt by the heirs of the Doge, first Vittore Grimani, the procurator general of the city, then Giovanni Grimani, cardinal and patriarch of Aquileia. In 1575, under the leadership of Giovanni Rusconi, the work was completed. Alessandro Vittoria designed the door portal.

The palace includes three parts and a small backyard. The facade of the palace is decorated with multi-colored marble.

The highlight of the interior is the “Psyche Hall”, decorated with frescoes by Francesco Menzocchi, Francesco Salviati, Camilo Mantovano. The palace currently houses the Venetian Court of Appeal.

Palazzo Tiepolo or "Palazzo Tiepolo Passi" located on the Grand Canal between Palazzo Soranzo Pisani and Palazzo Pisani Moretta in the San Polo area.

However, it should be clarified that on the left bank of the Grand Canal there is also Palazzo Tiepolo, and the building on the other side of Soranzo Pisani is also called Tiepolo Passi.

The palace was built on the site of a pre-existing structure in the mid-16th century by an unknown architect. The four-story mansion in the early Renaissance style belonged to the noble Querini family.

The main facade is divided by three interfloor cornices. The ground floor has paired arched doors for entry from the water and two small arched windows on either side. The front doors are decorated with windows on the second and third floors, consisting of four parts, with columns and balconies in the center of the façade. There are single windows on the sides, framed by pilasters, without balconies. On the fourth floor the windows are small, rectangular, like in a skylight on the roof of a building. The protruding roof overhang is supported by rectangular consoles.

Previously, the façade was decorated with frescoes by Andrea Meldolla depicting scenes of hunting and rural life; some fragments are still visible today. The interior decoration of the palazzo has preserved antique parquet flooring, ceilings with wooden beams, paintings on the walls and stucco in pastel colors, and antique furniture.

In different eras, the palace was owned by the Querini, Loredan, and Tiepolo families. Now the building is the property of the old noble family of Passy. In the palazzo you can rent luxury apartments and a room for banquets.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi located in the Rialto quarter, on the Grand Canal. The building has a large courtyard. Previously, the façade of the palace was decorated with frescoes by Giorgione and Titian, which were destroyed by fire in 1505.

The palace was built by the architect Girolamo Tedesco in 1228, destroyed by fire in 1505 and rebuilt in 1505-1508.

In the 16th century, the Fondaco dei Tedeschi served as a building for housing, warehouses and trade for German merchants.

From 1603 to 1604, Ivan Bolotnikov lived here, who was freed from Turkish slavery by German traders who captured a Turkish ship at sea.

At the beginning of 2012, Benetton signed an agreement to restore the palace and announced plans to create a shopping mall, which opened in October 2016.

Fondaco dei Turchi formerly a Turkish farmstead. The palace is located on the Grand Canal.

The building with covered galleries was erected in the Veneto-Byzantine style in the 13th century. The palace was created in imitation of the Middle Byzantine luxurious buildings of Constantinople and served as a prototype for many Venetian palaces.

The building was rented out to Turkish merchants as housing and a warehouse, and the name is connected with this.

Initially, the palace belonged to the city; the Emperor of Byzantium and many other eminent guests of Venice were received here. For a long time, the Fondaco dei Turchi was owned by various wealthy Venetian families; in 1621-1838 it was the property of the Turkish community.

The building was completely restored in the 19th century and currently houses the Italian Natural History Museum.

Italian Venice- ancient and majestic European city, a visit to which will be remembered for a lifetime, because it is a unique city on the water, which has become famous throughout the world for its famous, best Venetian palazzos, great works of art. Venice includes more than a hundred large and small islands, almost two hundred canals - they have an irresistible attraction for the several million tourists who come here every year. Today we will talk about the most beautiful palaces in Venice.

Venice, shrouded in a light haze rising from the water, the bright turquoise waters of local canals, unique palaces and bridges - enigmatic and mysterious, what could be more attractive to travelers? But this city is also loved by romantics and newlyweds, as well as art connoisseurs who dream of getting acquainted with the rich cultural heritage of this Italian city. The most attractive Venetian palaces in the eyes of tourists are located with graceful facades along the Grand Canal, they demonstrate to all visitors the power of Venice and its living history, embodied in these architectural wonders in Gothic, Baroque, and Classical styles. These famous Venetian palaces are not only beautiful on the outside, they are lush and luxurious inside: many have preserved ancient decoration, furniture and household items from the Middle Ages. Some Venetian palazzos were given over to government institutions of the city, and museums were located somewhere. So, what are the most beautiful palaces?

1. "Doge's Palace" or "Palazzo Ducale"- a beautiful ancient palace, built in the Gothic style, as the main residence for the Doges of Venice. Construction of the palazzo began in 1309 and was completed in 1424. The “Doge's Palace” was used in the Middle Ages as the main political, judicial and maritime control center of Venice. Today, within the walls of this palazzo there is a wonderful museum. The building itself is a bright and memorable element of the Venetian architectural ensemble. The palace is open to tourists from April to October: from half past eight in the morning to half past eight in the evening, and from November to March: until half past five in the evening. Getting to know the palace will cost you twenty euros.

2. “Palace Ca’ d’Oro” or “Palazzo Ca’ D’Oro”- This elegant building was built in the fifteenth century for the Bona family. Palazzo Ca' d'Oro was built in the beautiful Venetian Gothic style. Second common name of this palace, is the “Golden House”, the fact is that after construction the building was covered with gold leaf. This remarkable structure is located on the Grand Canal, in the Venetian district of Cannaregio. It contains art Gallery Giorgio Franchetti. Gallery opening hours: from eight fifteen in the morning to seven fifteen in the evening, from Tuesday to Sunday, and from eight fifteen in the morning until two in the afternoon, on Monday. The box office closes half an hour before the gallery closes. Official holidays: January 1st, May 1st, December 25th. Ticket price is six euros.

3. “Palazzo Barbarigo” or “Palazzo Barbarigo”- this austere building was erected in the fifteenth century for the ancient and noble Italian family of Barbarigo - a family that gave the city great commanders, smartest politicians and wise religious leaders, and belonged to it until its sale in the nineteenth century. The architectural appearance of the building belongs to the Venetian-Byzantine style, it is distinguished by the severity of its forms, the absence of excessive pretentiousness and pomp. It was only with the change of owners that occurred in the nineteenth century that the façade of the building was decorated with beautiful mosaics made of the famous Murano glass. Today, this palazzo is open to tourists, there are showrooms, as well as trading areas where you can see interesting works of art from Murano glassblowers and buy those you like.

4. “Palace Fondaco dei Tedeschi” or “Palazzo Fondaco dei Tedeschi”- the name of the palace is translated as “German Compound”. The building actually arose as a result of close commercial relations between the Venetians and the Germans. It was built in 1228, but the original version of the building burned down in a fire in 1505. Today we see a rebuilt building from the sixteenth century, designed by the architect Hieronymo Tedesco, whose nickname was “The German”, and who supervised the work of Antonio Abbondi Scarpagnino. This beautiful building was built in the Renaissance style: it has a wide courtyard, a beautiful portico located at canal level, framed by an interesting crenellated cornice.

Previously, the walls of the palazzo, restored after the fire, were covered with frescoes by Giorgione and Titian; today the surviving remains of this painting are in the Franchetti Gallery, in the Accademia Palace and the “Palace of Rains”. In the nineteenth century, the palace was given over to house customs, and throughout the twentieth century there was a post office here. In our twenty-first century, the building was bought by the fashion brand Benetton; they wanted to place a shopping center there, but their idea failed due to protests from defenders of the cultural heritage of Venice.

5. “Palazzo Fondaco dei Turchi” or “Palazzo Fondaco dei Turchi”- this is a wonderful monument of Veneto-Byzantine architecture and one of the most ancient buildings in the city of Venice, built in the manner of the first palaces of Constantinople. The name can be translated as “Turkish Compound”, the fact is that for a long time it was rented out to Turkish merchants for warehouses and housing. But the palace was built between the tenth and thirteenth centuries for the local wealthy patrician family of Pisaro. And only in the sixteenth century it was transferred to the use of the merchant community of Turkey. When, at the beginning of the nineteenth century, trade with the Ottomans ceased to be vibrant, the number of oriental merchants in the city declined and rental income fell sharply, and the ancient palace began to collapse. He returned again to the Pisaro family, then passed to the Manin family, and they sold it again, and so it changed owners until 1860, until it was bought by the commune, which carried out its restoration and reconstruction. The palace again acquired Veneto-Byzantine features. Today, in the Palazzo Fondaco dei Turchi there is a “Museum of Natural History”, where paleontological collections are located, and their most interesting exhibits are: the skeleton of a prehistoric crocodile, numerous skeletons of dinosaurs, aquariums with very rare inhabitants underwater world.

6. “Palazzo Dolfin-Manin” or “Palazzo Dolfin Manin”- this airy building was erected in the mid-sixteenth century for the Venetian diplomat and merchant Dolphin. The project was created by architect Jakop Sansovino. The basis for the new building was two medieval houses. The facade of the three-story snow-white palace was decorated with magnificent arched colonnades. This Venetian palazzo received its name in the period from 1789 to 1797, when the last Doge of Venice, Lodovico Manin, lived in it. Since 1867, this palace was transferred to house the National Bank, where it operates to this day.

7. “Palazzo Grimani” or “Palazzo Grimani di San Luca”- this beautiful building is located at the intersection of the Rio di San Luca canal with the Grand Canal, not far from the Rialto Bridge. The Grimani Palace was built during the Renaissance for the Doge of Venice, Antonio Grimani, but after his death, it was constantly rebuilt by his heirs, Vittore Grimani, the Procurator General of Venice, and Giovanni Grimani, the Cardinal and Patriarch of Aquileia. The palazzo is divided into three parts and has a miniature backyard. Its elegant white facade is decorated with multi-colored marble. Today this Venetian palace houses the city's appeal court.

8. “Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti” or “Palazzo Cavalli Franchetti”- this architectural monument in the Gothic style is located near the Accademia Bridge, facing the Grand Canal, it has its main entrance from Campo Santo Stefano. This wonderful palace was built in the sixteenth century for the Marcello family. For three centuries, representatives of three related branches lived under the roof of the palazzo: Marcello, Gussoni, Cavalli.

In the first half of the nineteenth century, the residence of the Austrian Archduke Friedrich Ferdinand was located here. And in 1878, the palazzo passed to Baron Raimondo Franchetti, and he began a large-scale reconstruction of the building, hiring the architect Camillo Boito. Today, within the walls of this palace is located the “Institute of Science, Literature and Art of Venice” - “Istituto Veneto di Scienze, Lettere ed Arti”. There are pavilions for various cultural events, exhibition halls occupy four hundred and fifty square meters, conference rooms - nine hundred square meters, a garden - one and a half thousand square meters.

9. “Palazzo Ca’ Foscari” or “Palazzo Foscari”- this majestic building was built in 1452, it is a prominent representative of the houses of the Venetian nobility. Its reddish facade is distinguished by symmetry and delicacy, which attracts the attention of any tourist. At first, the house was owned by the famous Venetian Giustiniani family, and then the mansion passed to the Foscari family, after which it was named. The architecture of the palace is Gothic: arches alternate with columns and windows. For several centuries, trade warehouses were located on the ground floor of the building, and only the upper rooms were residential. The main entrance of the mansion faces the Grand Canal. Royalty often stayed at the Ca' Foscari Palace, for example, the French king Henry III lived here. This palazzo has undergone several major restorations, the largest following a fire in 1979, and the final restoration, aimed at improving safety measures, took place in 2006. Today, there are several departments and institutions of the Ca' Foscari University - "Università Ca" Foscari. And another remarkable feature of Palazzo Ca' Foscari is associated with its location on the bend of the Grand Canal, which provides an excellent overview of the annual "Historical Regatta of Venice ", it is held on the first Sunday of September. For convenience, near the mansion there is a floating platform where jury members sit, monitoring the progress of the regatta, and awards are presented to the winners on it.

10. “Palazzo Dandolo” or “Palazzo Dandolo”- this beautiful mansion was built in 1400 for a Venetian family with a similar surname, but in 1536 they decided to sell this wonderful palace to the Gritti family, and since then the building began an endless change of owners: the Michele family, the Mocenigo family, the Bernando family. And so, the next owners of the palazzo decided to open a casino there. Thus, in the period from 1638 to 1774, the most famous gambling house in Venice was located in Palazzo Dandolo, until, through the efforts of the most influential families of the city, they decided to close it, putting pressure on the owner of the establishment, because noble young people of Venice had wasted more than one million fortune here. Today, this beautiful old palazzo houses the luxurious five-star Hotel Royal Danieli, and is very popular among tourists who want to live on the Grand Canal, near St. Mark's Square and the Ducal Palace. The address of Palazzo Dandolo and, accordingly, “Hotel Danieli”: street - “Riva degli Schiavoni” 4196, Venice, 30122. You can get to the hotel yourself by using water trams - “vaporetto” No. 1 or No. 2, departing from railway station or bus station.

11. "Palazzo Ca' Pesaro" or "Palazzo Ca" Pesaro"- this beautiful palace in the Venetian Baroque style was built in the second half of the seventeenth century for representatives of the famous Pesaro family. The author of the project is the architect Baldassare Longhena, who began the construction of the palazzo in 1659 from the part of the building facing the land, then he completed the courtyard, decorating it with a magnificent loggia, this was in 1676. Then he began construction of the façade on the side of the Grand Canal, but having reached the second floor of the palazzo, he died in 1682. The work of the great master was continued by his talented student, Antonio Gaspari, who completed the palace in 1710, according to the original drawings. Long time the mansion was supplemented and remodeled inside: it was decorated with wall frescoes by the most famous masters, famous artists painted the ceilings: Francesco Trevisani, Girolamo Brusaferro, Nicolo Bambini, Giovanni Battista Pittoni. Previously, the palazzo had a fresco by Tiepolo: “Zephyr and Flora”, but in 1935 it was moved to the Museum of Venice, located in the “Palazzo Ca” Rezonico.” The Pesaro family owned many great works of world art - brilliant works by Titian, Giorgione, Carpaccio, Tintoretto, other Venetian artists of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries But, in 1830, after the death of the last representative of the Pesaro family, most the property of one of the oldest Venetian families was sold. Then the palace became the property of the Gradenigo family, then to the Armenian community, which opened a college within its walls. Then the palazzo was bought by Duchess Felecita Bevilacqua La Massa, and after her death she bequeathed it to the city so that a museum could be opened there. In 1902, a collection of modern art was housed here, and from 1908 to 1924, exhibitions of works by young artists began to be held in the palace: Gino Rossi, Felice Casorati, Umberto Boccioni, Arturo Martini. The museum's exposition was constantly replenished thanks to such famous patrons as Baron Eduardo Franchetti, Prince Alberto Giovanelli, Baron Ernst Sighera, Filippo Grimani - a representative of the most noble Venetian family and a major political figure. In the twentieth century, paintings by Kandinsky, Miro, Morandi, Wildt, Klimt, Chagall, and other artists and sculptors appeared in the museum. Today, the Palazzo Ca Pesaro also houses the Museum of Modern Art - Galleria Internazionale d'Arte Moderna, as well as the Museum of Oriental Art - Museo d'Arte Orientale, which is no less interesting.

12. “Palace Ca’ Dario” or “Palazzo Ca’ Dario”- strange as it may seem, this beautiful building often called the “Cursed Castle of Venice”, the fact is that any of its new owners became unlucky: they went bankrupt, were attacked and violated, became victims of various accidents, committed suicide - that’s why local legends finally secured its fame as a “cursed Houses". This palace was built in 1487, in the Renaissance style: the structure is asymmetrical, its facade compares favorably with neighboring houses in that it is lined with beautiful mosaics of green marble and reddish porphyry. The front façade of this palace overlooks the Grand Canal, the building itself belongs to the Dorsoduro quarter, which stands on the Rio delle Torreselle, and with its opposite façade it faces Piazza Campiello Barbaro, facing the marina of Santa Maria de Giglio. At the end of the twentieth century, director Woody Allen chose this beautiful Venetian palace as a wedding venue. Today, Palazzo Ca'Dario is private property, but sometimes, with the consent of the owners, cultural events organized by the Venice Art Museum take place here.

13. “Palazzo Pisani Gritti” or “Palazzo Pisani Gritti”- a beautiful ancient building, dating back to the fourteenth century, which became the residence of the Doge of Venice Andrea Gritti and the family residence of this famous Venetian family. The facade of the palazzo overlooks the Grand Canal, located opposite the Church of the Madonna della Salute.

The facade of the building was changed in the sixteenth century. The building has a Gothic architectural style; it is decorated with spectacular pointed arches and four lancet windows located in the center of the building. The third floor of the palazzo was rebuilt in the nineteenth century and acquired a neo-Gothic style; there are three lancet windows that are separated from each other. In ancient years, the facade of a beautiful building, from the side Grand Canal, decorated Giorgione's frescoes, but they were lost. Luxurious palace often used as a residence for ambassadors from the Vatican. In the twentieth century, an elite hotel opened here, and at the same time a terrace was built on the ground floor overlooking the canal. In 1994, The Gritti Palace was associated with the prestigious Starwood Hotels & Resorts brand, becoming part of the Luxury Collection. It has undergone a thorough restoration, the interiors have been carefully restored to delight visitors to the city who come to experience the beautiful Venice.

14. “Palazzo Labia” or “Palazzo Labia”- the luxurious building of this palace was erected at the end of the seventeenth century as a residence for the richest Venetian family with Catalan roots. The building has two lush facade, which are made in the “Longren” style, one overlooks the Cannaregio Canal, the other overlooks the Grand Canal. Above these amazing architectural masterpieces talented Venetian architects Alessandro Tremignona and Andrea Cominelli worked on it. The third façade of the building faces San Jeremy Square and was completed in 1730. The inside of the palace is no less magnificent; its ballroom, designed by Giorgio Missveri, is especially gorgeous. The Labia family eventually went bankrupt and was forced to transfer their wonderful palace to Prince Lobkovich, and he, in turn, sold the mansion to the Israeli “Konigsberg Foundation”. Then a sawmill was set up in the interiors of the palazzo, a textile factory and a clothes dryer were opened, until in 1964 it was bought by the RAI television and radio company and the Regional Broadcasting Center was opened here.

15. “Palazzo dei Camerlenghi” or “Palazzo dei Camerlenghi”- this extraordinary palazzo is an ideal example of the early Renaissance, overlooking the Grand Canal, and forms an angle on both sides, its design was created by the great architect Guglielmo dei Grigi. The Palazzo was built by 1528, it was built specifically to house the administrative institutions of Venice, thus becoming the first purely public building in Europe. Palazzo dei Kamerlinghi has distinctive features from other Venetian palaces: its front parts face each cardinal direction. At first the palace was the “House of City Treasurers”, then it became state prison. The walls of the pentagon-shaped building, to indicate the significance of the institutions located here, were long ago decorated with overlays made of precious metals, but over time they were lost. The arches that overlook the Grand Canal contain numerous windows. In past centuries, the interior of the palace was decorated with two hundred paintings by famous Venetian artists, many of which were enormous in size, and such a collection was accumulated in a state institution for this reason: traditionally, upon retiring, every judge was obliged to give this palazzo an expensive painting. Of course, to this day, the lion's part of the collection was stolen, and even destroyed in 1797, after Napoleon captured Venice, but the remaining paintings can be seen in the Academy Museum.

Today we told you about the most interesting Venetian palaces, which have an ancient and glorious history, inextricably linked with the history of the city, the country and its great people. We hope that we were able to convince you of the need to visit Venice and the importance of getting to know the great masterpieces of Venetian architecture on the water.

Along the Grand Canal, you can’t help but pay attention to the wonderful facades of Venetian palaces! Your gaze will fall on beautiful buildings that conceal the secrets and mysteries of the city, as well as reminders of its former greatness. We have selected the five most beautiful, in our opinion, palaces beautiful city on the water.

This marvelous Gothic-style building was built right next to the waters in 1437-1452 and belonged to the Venetian Doge Francesco Foscari, a nobleman who tried to flaunt his wealth and influence. By the way, the palace was amazingly beautiful. Even the most sophisticated critics could not find any flaws in it, calling it the most successful example of Gothic in Venice.

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Francesco also believed that he was building a true family residence, which would be occupied by his heirs and their descendants for many centuries to come. However, his dream was not destined to come true: in the 19th century, the palace served as a barracks for soldiers, whose proximity had an extremely negative impact on the building. And after a long and painstaking restoration, which was completed in 2005, the Foscari Palace turned into the residence of a higher educational institution.

Palazzo Labia

Some time ago, namely in the 18th century, this stunning palace was considered the family home of the richest Labia family in the city, who invited the most talented architects of the city on the water, Alessandro Treminiona and Andrea Cominelli, to create a building project. However, soon the wealthy family, who thoroughly enjoyed social life and increased attention from the public, went bankrupt and lost the palazzo, which passed into the possession of Prince Lobkovich. But a representative of the nobility quickly sold the palace to the Israeli Koenigsber Foundation. After this, the palace was used for various purposes: it was a sawmill, a textile factory, and a clothes dryer. In the 1960s, it was acquired by the Italian television and radio company RAI, which made its office in the palace.

Palazzo Dario

Selecting the most interesting and beautiful ones from the numerous palaces of Venice is a very difficult task. However, it is simply impossible not to mention Palazzo Dario. Its facade, like many other palaces, faces the Grand Canal, showing off its unusually bright marble color to everyone.

It was built in 1487 in classical style by order of Giovanni Dario, a member of the Venetian nobility who served as Secretary of Venice. By the way, city residents call this building the “cursed palace”, due to the numerous failures and tragedies that befell the Dario family, as well as other owners and guests of the palace. The Venetians find it difficult to even count the number of inhabitants who died here due to the absurd death of the inhabitants, diligently avoiding this place.

Palazzo Dandolo

Palazzo Dandolo is widely known outside magnificent city on the water, which he has been decorating since the 1400s. This beautiful building once belonged to the Dandolo family, hence its name. But very soon, family members decided to sell the palace to another eminent family - Gritti, thereby starting a long history of sales and purchases of this place from one hand to another. It seemed that the rich and nobles who purchased the palazzo were simply not ready to pay for its maintenance, and therefore sold it to their friends and acquaintances.


This continued until the 1630s, when the palace was acquired by people who made it the most popular gambling house in the city, introducing the rule of playing in masks, so as not to feel shame in front of those present during major losses.


However, after some time, the casino had to be closed at the insistence of the authorities, and its owner had to flee. Nowadays Palazzo Dandolo houses the luxurious Hotel Danieli.

Palazzo Ducale (Doge's Palace, Palazzo Ducale)

Palazzo Ducale, also known as, is perhaps one of the " business cards» Venice. The permanent residence of the Doges was built back in 1424 according to the design of Filippo Calendario in the style of exquisite Italian Gothic. For many centuries, the Doge's Palace was the very heart and symbol of political life.

However, when it fell in 1797, the purpose of this magnificent building also changed. From that moment on, it served different purposes and was home to different administrative divisions. By the end of the 19th century, the palace gradually began to decline, and the city administration allocated an impressive amount of funds for its restoration and restoration.


Almost all government services that occupied premises here were moved to other buildings. All that remains is the State Committee for the Protection of Cultural Heritage Objects. In 1923, the Italian government, to which this architectural monument belongs, decided to open a museum inside the Doge's Palace, which is still active today.

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On both sides of the Grand Canal, adjacent to each other, are palazzos - the dwellings of the Venetian nobility. These are mostly three- to five-story palaces of light yellow, red or blue, which seem to rise straight out of the water. The oldest buildings date back to the 12th century - it was then that the Venetians borrowed the Byzantine type of palace with open loggias and porticoes.

The construction of palaces was fraught with considerable difficulties. To provide a reliable foundation for the future palazzo, the builders strengthened the marshy soil along the banks of the Grand Canal by driving oak piles into it. The construction of one palace required about a thousand piles, so Venice literally stands on stilts. By the way, the wood for the piles was also ordered from Russia. This was our northern forest, which was exported by sea.

In total, about two hundred magnificent palaces have been preserved in the city, and among them is the pearl of Venice - the Palazzo Ca d'Oro.

This elegant three-story building was built in 1440 for the noble nobleman Marino Cantarini. The marble lace of its façade was then covered with gold leaf, hence its name, which means “golden house”.

The palace has changed many owners. In 1846, Prince Alexander Trubetskoy bought Ca d'Oro. But, being a romantic idiot, he gave it to the famous ballerina Maria Taglione, and she turned everything she could into it, according to her, as it turned out, not very elegant taste. Therefore, when the last owner of the Ca d'Oro, Baron Giorgio Franchetti, handed it over to the state in 1916, the palace needed a thorough restoration. Now a museum has settled in it.

Our first attempt to visit the famous palace was unsuccessful - it was still flooded and was not open full time.

Through a small window in the wall a portico with water on the marble floor was visible.

But the next day the museum worked as usual. A worker was washing salt off the floor.

The water has receded, but not completely.

Paul is just great.

There are some artifacts along the walls.

Well made of red Verona marble.

There is also a small patio right behind the cash register.

There are not many exhibits in the museum itself, but they are well selected, you can stand in front of each for half a day -
the craftsmanship is amazing. But this, it’s scary to think, is mostly from the 13th-15th centuries.

Home altar. The lower figure in the middle is placed admirably.

And we simply could not tear ourselves away from this wooden Crucifix. The realism is no worse than Mel Gibson's in The Passion of the Christ, and there is clearly more art.

The galleries on the second and third floors offer beautiful views of the Grand Canal.

There's all sorts of medieval stuff here.

This hall is very memorable,

because it turns out this is where this miracle hangs — Titian’s “Venus before a Mirror” (1555).

How many times have I seen it in reproductions, but it is impossible to convey the beauty of the original. Only when you are left alone with her do you understand what Titian’s brush is.
On the opposite wall there is an excellent Van Dyck and tapestries.

The museum has a lot of other things tasty for the eyes, and at the same time the exhibition is made very thoughtfully and does not tire. You go out into the street full of strength and freshness of perception.

Palaces abound in other parts of the city.

This is the Palazzo of Senator Braggadin in Piazza San Polo.

One day he went out for a walk and suddenly the poor fellow had a stroke. Luckily for him, a smart young man was nearby, who escorted him home and soon got him back on his feet. The young doctor's name was Casanova. The grateful senator practically adopted the young man and gave him a “start in life”

And this - Palazzo Mocenigo.

In 1591, his master, the patrician Giovanni Mocenigo, invited Giordano Bruno to teach him the art of magic, promising patronage and a generous fee. But as time passed, he wrote a denunciation against his teacher. At dawn on May 22, 1592, guards knocked on this door and escorted Bruno to prison. This began a long-term trial of the famous philosopher and magician, which ended in Rome, on the Square of Flowers, with a bonfire that is still memorable.

In our democratic days, most of the palaces of Venice are such only in name. Their former owners left their ancestral nests long ago, and now they house museums, shops and expensive hotels.

Beautiful Venice is one of the most ancient and majestic cities in Europe. The only city of its kind, built on water and famous throughout the world for its unique culture of local carnivals and classical art. More than a hundred islands, about two hundred canals and sixty thousand inhabitants welcome several million tourists every year.

The light haze rising above the water makes Venice attractive to both lovers of antiquities and incorrigible romantics. Here they spend their Honeymoon newlyweds, here elderly lovers enjoy memories of the past.

History buffs appreciate Venice for its rich past, art connoisseurs love it for its ability to preserve its cultural heritage. The city's numerous palazzos, facing with their majestic facades, represent the living history of Venice and, at the same time, determine its modern architectural appearance.

Venetian palaces made in the Gothic, Baroque, and Classical styles are interesting not only for their appearance. Many of them have also preserved their rich interior decoration. Part of the palazzo is given over to government needs of the city; some buildings house local museums.

We invite you to get acquainted with the most magnificent palaces of Venice and sincerely wish that virtual tour over exquisite palazzos eventually culminated in the present!

Palaces of Venice - PHOTO

The main residence of the Venetian Doges was built between 1309 and 1424. The Doge's Palace is designed in a strict Gothic style. It was formerly used as the political, judicial and maritime center of government for the city. Today, within the walls of the palace there is a museum, and the building itself is one of the main elements of the architectural ensemble of Venice.

Built in the 15th century and designed by the architects Bona (father and son), Palazzo Ca' d'Oro is one of the most elegant buildings designed in the Venetian Gothic style. The “Golden House” (the second name of the palace due to its original decoration with gold leaf) is located in the Cannaregio area. For the last eighty years it has housed the Franchetti Gallery.

From the moment of its construction (in the 15th century) until the moment of sale (in the 19th century), Palazzo Barbarigo belonged to an ancient and noble family of Venice, bearing a similar surname. The architectural appearance of the building absorbed the features of the Venetian-Byzantine style: severity of forms, absence of unnecessary decorations. Murano glass mosaics decorated the facade of Palazzo Barbarigo during the change of owners in the 19th century.

Fondaco dei Tedeschi was born thanks to the close commercial ties that existed between the Venetians and the Germans. It was built between the 12th and 15th centuries and was used by German merchants as warehouses, trading and residential premises. Currently, the Fondaco dei Tedeschi houses the Venice city post office and the local telegraph office.

Initially (X-XIII centuries) Fondaco dei Turchi was built as a palace for the Venetian family of Pesaro. In the 16th century it was transferred to the use of the Turkish merchant community. The building, made in the Venetian-Byzantine style, was used by eastern merchants for life and trade. Now it houses the Natural History Museum.

Palazzo Dolfin-Manin was built in the mid-16th century according to the design of the outstanding Venetian architect Jacopo Sansovino. The building is based on two medieval houses. The facade of the palace was decorated with elegant arched colonnades, visually elongating the not particularly tall, three-story building. Currently, the Bank of Italy operates inside the Palazzo Dolphin-Manin.

Built in the second half of the 16th century, the Grimani di San Luca Palace is located at the confluence of two canals, not far from the Rialto Bridge. The building is made in the Renaissance style. The palazzo consists of three parts and a miniature backyard. The snow-white facade of the palace is decorated with multi-colored marble. Nowadays the Venice Court of Appeal is located in the Palazzo Grimani.

Located next to the Accademia Bridge, on the Grand Canal, Palazzo Cavalli Francheti is a unique monument of Gothic architecture. The palace was built in the 16th century for three families of the same family - Marcello, Gussoni and Cavalli. In the 19th century, it passed into the hands of the Austrian Archduke Friedrich Ferdinand, and then Baron Franchetti. Today, the halls of the palace house the Institute of Science, Literature and Art.

Built in 1452, Palazzo Ca' Foscari is one of the most magnificent buildings in Venice. The architecture of the palace has pronounced Gothic features: a rhythmic alternation of arches, columns and windows, traditional decor of quatrefoils and lion heads. The ground floor of the building for a long time served as commercial warehouses, the upper premises were used as residential premises. Royalty often stayed at Ca' Foscari - for example, King Henry III of France.

Palazzo Dandolo was born in 1400 thanks to the efforts of a noble Venetian family with a similar name. For my centuries-old history The palace building changed several influential owners. Currently, the five-star Hotel Royal Danieli operates on the basis of Palazzo Dandolo. The architectural and tourist attraction rises on the Grand Canal in the San Marco area.

Designed by the talented Venetian Baroque architect Baldassare Longhena in the second half of the 17th century, Ca'Pesaro embodied not only the features of luxury, but also the strict lines of classicism. The powerful facade of the palace is decorated with alternating deep arches and decorative figures of Aquarius, lion and titanium heads. These days, Ca'Pesaro functions as the Museum of Contemporary Art.

Designed at the end of the 17th century by the architect Baldassare Longhen, Ca' Rezzonico was completed only in 1745. The structure of the palace is classic for Venice: the ground floor is a warehouse and the upper floors are residential. Since 1936, the palazzo has housed the Museum of 18th-century Venice. Items on display include exquisite frescoes, tapestries with Flemish tapestries, paintings by Venetian artists and the palace halls themselves.

Ka'Dario Palace was built in 1487. The Renaissance was taken as the basis for its architectural style. The asymmetrical building of the palazzo has a mosaic facade of green marble and reddish porphyry. Ka'Dario is not an easy building. Local Legends They classify it as one of the “cursed houses”, since most of the owners of the palazzo were desperately unlucky in life: they lost their fortunes, were subjected to violence, and committed suicide.

Situated between Palazzo Dandolo and Palazzo Farsetti, Ca’ Loredan has its own appearance not much different from the last palace. It acquired its strict Gothic forms in the 13th century. Today, within the walls of Ca' Loredan is the Venetian municipality.

Erected in the 20s of the 16th century, the Palazzo dei Camerlinghi has a unique façade structure. Unlike other Venetian palaces, the front part of this building faces each side. Initially, the Kamerlinghi was used as the House of City Treasurers, and later became a state prison.