This is Part II of the Canal Grande Trilogy. Please be sure to read Part I first.
Only there will you learn about the basic architecture of the palazzi, the significance of the decorative stonework, and other general information about the sights along the Grand Canal.
The order in which the attractions are discussed in this travel guide follows the route of a vaporetto ride (Line 1 or Line 2) from St. Mark's Square to the train station
Site Map
The plan is from http://www.OpenStreetMap.org – © OpenStreetMap contributors
Here on the map, you can see the most important palazzi in the central section of the Grand Canal. All of these buildings are located north of the Accademia Bridge and south of the Rialto Bridge. Please also read Part I and Part II of this trilogy.
First of all, it’s hard to get interior photos of the palazzi. You can’t just walk into a private home and take pictures. And it’s not allowed to publish them either. That’s why, whenever such photos are available, the website is cited. After all, the owner of the palazzo is, of course, allowed to publish photos.
Most palazzi are named after the owner or builder of the house.
Left: Especially beautiful: Palazzetto Stern
This elegant, beautiful Neo-Gothic palazzo is now a 4-star hotel
The link to the homepage is: http://www.palazzostern.it/de
Some palazzi are in the shade for most of the day—and even most of the year—and are therefore difficult to photograph and don’t look particularly good in pictures. You’ll notice this right away. We did it anyway and edited the photos a bit on the computer afterward. Even so, the image quality isn’t comparable to that of a palazzo that’s well-lit by the sun.
Left: Ca‘ Rezzonico
It has been owned by the City of Venice since 1935, which operates the Museum of the Venetian Settecento (18th century) here. During World War II, it also served as a warehouse for the German Wehrmacht to store art treasures looted from northern Italy. It is striking that all seven windows are given equal prominence. The exhibition rooms feature many historical artifacts from throughout the city, which have been brought together here.
Right: Palazzo Grassi
The Palazzo Grassi (on the left in the photo) was built in a style that lies between late Baroque and Classicism. The Grassi family commissioned its construction. It houses a collection of modern art and is owned by the French businessman François Pinault.
The website is: http://www.palazzograssi.it
Right: The Palazzo Moro Lin
The Palazzo of the 13 Windows. It is now owned by a Milanese industrialist. Its four stories are designed to be particularly symmetrical. Despite the arched windows, they are rectangular.
Left: Ca‘ Foscari
Ca’ Foscari (on the right in the picture), also known as Palazzo Foscari, is a late-Gothic palace of the kind built by nobles and wealthy merchants of that era. Today, it serves as the headquarters of the University of Venice. Since it is located right at the bend of the Grand Canal, it offers a particularly good view of the Grand Canal all the way up to the Rialto Bridge.
When it was built, it was the largest private residence in Venice. Taken as a whole, it is the city’s largest Gothic palace complex. Every September, it serves as the finish line for the historic regatta: the Regata Storica.
To the left of Ca’ Foscari stands the late-Gothic Palazzo Giustinian, where Richard Wagner lived between 1858 and 1859 and wrote the second act of *Tristan und Isolde*.
Left: The Venice Fire Department
To the right of the university (Ca' Foscari), a narrow canal branches off. That's where the Venice Fire Department is headquartered. If you look closely, you'll see four large arched gateways at water level, where the fire department's high-speed boats are kept on constant standby.
In contrast to the many media reports about flooding in Venice, this is not considered a threat. The Venetians have grown accustomed to it over the centuries and have long since learned to cope with it. Fire poses a much greater danger to Venice because of its dense development.
Left: Palazzo Balbi
It is said that the architect of the Palazzo Balbi later remarked: „In truth, very magnificent, but in its ornamentation, incorrect and licentious.“.
Which translates to: „Truly wonderful—but inaccurate and indecent in the details.“.
Like almost all palazzi, the building was sold several times. It was first acquired by the art dealer Michelangelo Guggenheim. In 1971, it was taken over by the Region of Venice. You can also tell from the flags that it is publicly owned. This is where the „Giunta regionale,“ or regional council, meets. The beautiful frescoes inside are particularly worth mentioning, though unfortunately you won’t be able to see them as you drive by.
The link to the Venice Region's website is: http://www.regione.veneto.it
Right: Palazzo Pisani Moretta
The Palazzo Pisani Moretta is a palace dating from the late 15th century, but it was later remodeled in the Baroque and Neoclassical styles. The façade is in the typical Venetian Gothic style. It is an outstanding example of this extravagant Venetian Gothic architectural style.
Change?
If you have the necessary funds, you can rent this palace for your own parties or conferences. This is especially popular during Carnival season. The ballroom is located on the Secondo Piano Nobile.
Left: The Palazzo Papadopoli
The Palazzo Papadopoli, with its majestic facades, is a Baroque palace. It has changed hands several times and is now a luxury hotel.
The link to the hotel's website is: https://www.aman.com/resorts/aman-venice
Right: Palazzo Grimani a San Luca
The imposing Renaissance palace, Palazzo Grimani (di San Luca), is located near the Rialto Bridge. It is a late work by the architect Michele Sanmicheli. When construction began, the second upper floor had not yet been planned; it was added later. As a result, the building reached a very great height and has therefore been criticized by some art historians, as it allegedly overwhelms the neighboring buildings visually.
Note that the two buildings to its right and left also have 3 and 4 stories, respectively, but neither appears to be as imposing. The palace became famous throughout Europe because it was here that the celebrations for the coronation of Dogaressa Morosina Morosini, the wife of Marino Grimani, took place in 1597.
Right: Palazzo Cavalli
This 16th-century palace, is often used for civil weddings. It is the current headquarters of the „Institution Centro Maree.“ The Palazzo Cavalli is located directly south of the Ca Farsetti, which you can just make out on the left edge of the picture. From the balconies of the palazzo, you have a beautiful, unobstructed view of the Rialto Bridge. Cavalli = horses
Right: Ca‘ Loredan and Ca‘ Farsetti
Ca‘ Loredan is on the left in the picture; Ca‘ Farsetti is the building on the right. Ca‘ Loredan (short for Palazzo Corner Piscopia, Loredan) is the seat of the Venice city government. It is the city hall. The large council chamber is on the ground floor. The building on the right in the picture, Ca' Farsetti, also still houses Venice's city hall. The second floor and the mezzanine are built in the Renaissance style.
George Clooney: American movie star George Clooney got married at Ca‘ Farsetti in 2014.
Right: The Palazzo Bembo
The Palazzo Bembo is a Gothic palace near the Rialto Bridge. Today, it is partly a hotel but also serves as an exhibition space for contemporary art at the European Cultural Center. The link to the website is: http://www.palazzobembo.org
This page was created with special support from Dr. Susanne Kunz-Saponaro, an officially certified tour guide for Venice. If you are interested in a guided tour of Venice, please visit her website: http://www.stadtfuehrungen-venedig.de