Visit Venice palace are silent witnesses to the history of a unique city, a symbol of elegance.
Let's discover some of the most beautiful.
- Cà Vendramin Calergi: Venice Casino headquarters
- Palazzo di Venezia: Cà Pesaro
- Cà d'Oro: a jewel box of beauty
- Palaces in Venice: Cà Rezzonico
- The Fondego dei Turchi: one of Venice's ancient palaces
Cà Vendramin Calergi: Venice Casino headquarters
If you're thinking of taking a gondola ride along the Grand Canal, your attention will easily be drawn to a beautiful Renaissance-style building: Ca' Vendramin Calergi. Its construction dates back to the early 16th century. It has been owned by a succession of noble families. It was the residence of the Doges and the last home of Richard Wagner.
Illustrious artists such as Giorgione contributed to its construction. Since the 1950s, it has housed the Casino de Venise. The Wagner Rooms, which can be visited by appointment, house a wonderful collection of objects dedicated to the composer, documenting his relationship with Venice, the city he loved.
Palazzo di Venezia: Cà Pesaro
Continue to be carried away by the slender waves of the Grand Canal. Ca' Pesaro appears, sumptuous and Baroque, considered one of the most important Venetian palaces for its grandeur and decorations.
The project was entrusted to the famous architect Baldassarre Longhena, who died before seeing the work completed. By 1710, the wealthy Pesaro family had the majestic palace they had been waiting for for almost sixty years, with a facade adorned with bas-reliefs, statues and arches.
Although little of the original richness of the rooms remains, apart from a few decorations and frescoes, on the first and second floors you can admire works by the Galerie Internationale d'Art Moderne and, on the third floor, the Musée d'Art Oriental.
Cà d'Oro: a jewel box of beauty
Golden, like the color of the sun reflecting off the slow-moving lagoon at sunset. The palace is so named because this beautiful Gothic noble residence once had a façade adorned with golden trim.
Perhaps it's fate that this luxurious residence was created to house precious things: it's now the headquarters of the Giorgio Franchetti Gallery, a tribute to the beauty of a man who was constantly striving for perfection.
The art collection features works of great value, including one of Andrea Mantegna's canvases and also an important section devoted to ceramics.
Palaces in Venice: Cà Rezzonico
In the mid-17th century, the noble Bon family aspired to build a grand palace that would be admired by all. They chose the most famous architect of the time: Baldassarre Longhena.
However, he didn't have time to complete the work. Work remained suspended until, almost a century later, Giambattista Rezzonico purchased the building. He then entrusted the great Giorgio Massari with the task of completing the opera house. The result was a monumental mansion with a grand staircase and ballroom decorated by many talented artists. Today, the façade of Ca' Rezzonico is another of the jewels that adorn the Grand Canal.
The Fondego dei Turchi: one of Venice's ancient palaces
Your journey takes you back to the 13th century, when Giacomo Palmieri gave the order to build what is today one of the city's oldest palaces. Since the family sold it to the Serenissima, it has become a reward for political and military alliances.
In the 17th century, it was converted as a commercial headquarters for Ottoman merchants. It was also the diplomatic headquarters of the Ottoman Empire in Venice. Later, it once again became the property of Venetian patrician families.
When the Municipality purchased it in 1859, it was in a state of serious deterioration. Major restoration work was therefore undertaken to bring it back to its original form as far as possible. Today, it houses the Civic Museum of Natural History.
Venice's palaces are buildings that stand the test of time. During your trip, you'll visit several of them. You'll see for yourself the city's greatness through the centuries.
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