Situated in the San Marco sestiere along Venice’s Grand Canal, Palazzo Corner Contarini dei Cavalli is a striking example of Venetian Gothic architecture, with later modifications reflecting Renaissance and 19th-century influences. Positioned between the Rio di San Luca and Palazzo Grimani di San Luca on one side and Palazzo Tron and Palazzetto Tron Memmo on the other, it faces the imposing Palazzo Papadopoli across the canal. Constructed in the mid-15th century, likely for Jacopo Corner dal Banco of the Corner family, the palazzo’s history is marked by a 1310 “stigma” for treason, illustrious residents like condottiero Bartolomeo d’Alviano, and ownership by the Contarini family from 1521 to 1830. Its distinctive Venetian flowery Gothic facade, adorned with two 15th-century seahorse shields that give it the “dei Cavalli” moniker, and its current use as offices for the Corte di Appello make it a significant, if less tourist-centric, landmark.
Early History and Infamy: The site’s history predates the current
structure, with a previous building branded in 1310 with the “marchio
d’infamia” (mark of infamy), a punishment reserved for traitors, due to
its owners’ involvement in the failed Bajamonte Tiepolo conspiracy
against the Venetian Republic. This revolt, led by Tiepolo to overthrow
the government, marked the original structure as a site of disgrace,
though no physical traces of the stigma remain. The current palazzo was
likely built in the mid-15th century, possibly for Jacopo Corner dal
Banco, son of Donato, a member of the wealthy Corner family, known for
their banking and mercantile prowess.
Notable Residents and
Ownership: In the early 16th century, the palazzo housed Bartolomeo
d’Alviano (1455–1515), a renowned condottiero who defended Venice
against Holy Roman Emperor Maximilian during the War of the League of
Cambrai. His stay underscores the palazzo’s prestige as a residence for
prominent figures. In 1521, ownership passed to the Contarini family
through marriage, likely via a daughter of Alvise Corner to Agostino
Contarini. The Contarini, one of Venice’s most illustrious families with
eight doges, maintained ownership until 1830, when it was sold to the
Mocenigo family. Subsequent owners included Maria Dorotea Ulbricht
(1858), the Cavalieri family, and the Ravenna family, reflecting the
palazzo’s transfer among Venice’s elite.
Later Uses: By the 17th
century, the mezzanine housed the casinò of N.H. Morosini, a private
gambling and social venue typical of Venetian nobility. The palazzo’s
architectural evolution continued with a 19th-century addition of a
second floor, altering its original Gothic profile. Today, it serves as
offices for the Corte di Appello (Court of Appeal), a civic function
that limits public access but ensures its maintenance. The palazzo’s
cadastral surface of 2,399 square meters and its estimated value of
€13,760,000 in development agency records highlight its substantial
footprint and economic significance.
Palazzo Corner Contarini dei Cavalli is a prime example of Venetian
flowery Gothic architecture, with its piano nobile showcasing intricate
tracery reminiscent of the Palazzo Ducale. Later renovations introduced
Renaissance and 19th-century elements, creating a layered aesthetic that
reflects Venice’s architectural history.
Facade
The Grand
Canal facade is the palazzo’s most striking feature, articulated over
three floors with distinct stylistic periods:
Ground Floor: The
ground floor features 17th-century rustication (bugnato), a textured
ashlar masonry typical of Renaissance architecture, providing durability
against the canal’s humidity. The central water gate, designed as a
serliana (a Venetian window with a central arched opening flanked by
rectangular ones), is framed in Istrian stone, offering both
functionality and elegance. Smaller windows flank the gate, maintaining
symmetry.
Piano Nobile (First Noble Floor): The piano nobile retains
its original Venetian flowery Gothic character, with a magnificent
hexafora (six-light window) featuring trefoil arches surmounted by
quadrilobes, echoing the Palazzo Ducale’s iconic tracery. Flanking the
hexafora are two single-lancet windows, also with Gothic tracery, each
with a protruding balcony. Between these windows are two large
15th-century shields depicting seahorses, the source of the “dei
Cavalli” name, symbolizing the Corner family’s maritime connections. The
hexafora’s central four openings have balconies, while the side two do
not, adding subtle asymmetry.
Second Floor: Added in the 19th
century, the second floor contrasts with the Gothic piano nobile,
featuring a trifora (three-light window) with a wider central
semicircular arch and two pairs of single round-arched windows
(monofore) on either side. These windows, also with balconies, reflect a
simpler, Neoclassical style, marking the palazzo’s adaptation to later
tastes.
Materials and Ornamentation: The facade combines Istrian
stone for structural and decorative elements (windows, balconies,
shields) with brick and plaster, likely painted in a pale hue, typical
of Venetian palazzi. The seahorse shields, described as “large and
prominent,” are a rare decorative feature, enhancing the facade’s
historical and heraldic significance.
The lateral facade along the
Rio di San Luca is less ornate, with round-arched windows replacing
Gothic tracery, a later modification that softens the original style.
The land entrance via Ramo Contarini is modest, reflecting the palazzo’s
canal-centric design.
Interior
The interior, now used as
offices for the Corte di Appello, is largely inaccessible to the public,
limiting detailed documentation. Historically, it followed the standard
Venetian palazzo plan:
Ground Floor: A central androne (entrance
hall) with the serliana water gate, flanked by service rooms or storage,
typical of a mercantile palazzo.
Piano Nobile: The main floor likely
featured a grand portego (central hall), illuminated by the hexafora,
used for receptions and business. Lateral rooms served as living
quarters or offices, with possible remnants of frescoes, stucco, or wood
paneling, though these may have been altered for modern use. Decorations
are noted to be preserved across all floors, suggesting some original
features remain.
Mezzanine and Upper Floors: The mezzanine, once
Morosini’s casinò, and the 19th-century second floor contain additional
rooms, likely offices today. The casinò was a social space for gambling
and gatherings, indicative of 17th-century Venetian leisure.
The
palazzo’s 2,399-square-meter footprint includes a ground floor with a
partial mezzanine, two double-height piani nobili, and a lower attic
floor at the rear, reflecting its substantial scale.
Construction
and Materials
Built on wooden piles driven into the lagoon’s subsoil,
the palazzo uses brick and Istrian stone for its structure, with plaster
walls requiring periodic maintenance against humidity. The Gothic
hexafora and seahorse shields are crafted in stone for durability, while
the 17th-century rustication and 19th-century additions reflect evolving
construction techniques. The serliana water gate and balconies
demonstrate Venetian engineering, distributing weight efficiently on
unstable ground.
Historical Associations: The palazzo’s early infamy from the 1310
Tiepolo conspiracy ties it to Venice’s turbulent political history,
while Bartolomeo d’Alviano’s residency links it to the Republic’s
military triumphs. The Corner and Contarini families’ ownership reflects
the fluidity of Venetian aristocracy, where wealth and marriage shaped
property legacies. The seahorse shields, unique to the facade, symbolize
maritime prowess, resonating with Venice’s identity as a thalassocracy.
Artistic Recognition: The palazzo’s facade inspired John Singer
Sargent’s 1904 painting, Palazzo Corner Contarini dai Cavalli (A
Venetian Palace), capturing its Gothic elegance against the Grand
Canal’s shimmer. This artwork, available as reproductions via
ArtsDot.com, underscores the palazzo’s aesthetic appeal to international
artists.
Current Role: As offices for the Corte di Appello, the
palazzo remains a functional part of Venice’s civic life, though its
judicial use limits public engagement. Its proximity to the Rialto
Bridge (250 meters) and Sant’Angelo vaporetto stop (500 meters) embeds
it in the commercial heart of San Marco, near landmarks like Piazza San
Marco and Teatro La Fenice. The palazzo’s zoning allows for residential,
office, museum, or hospitality uses, with potential for hotel conversion
pending permits, reflecting Venice’s adaptive reuse of historic
buildings.
Preservation and Challenges: The palazzo’s
well-preserved facade, despite centuries of renovations, demonstrates
Venice’s commitment to its architectural heritage. However, acqua alta,
pollution, and maintenance costs threaten such structures. The Corte di
Appello’s occupancy ensures upkeep, but the lack of public access
restricts its cultural visibility. Organizations like Save Venice Inc.
support similar conservation efforts, though no specific projects for
this palazzo are documented.
Access: Palazzo Corner Contarini dei Cavalli is not open to the
public, as it houses the Corte di Appello’s offices. Its exterior is
best viewed from the Grand Canal via vaporetto (Line 1 or 2, Rialto or
Sant’Angelo stops), gondola, or water taxi, or from the opposite bank
near Palazzo Papadopoli. The land entrance at Ramo Contarini is
unremarkable and restricted to office users. The palazzo is
approximately 1.5 kilometers from Santa Lucia railway station, a
15-minute walk or 5-minute vaporetto ride.
Visitor Experience:
Exterior: The Gothic piano nobile, with its hexafora and seahorse
shields, is a highlight, best viewed in morning or late afternoon light
to capture the Istrian stone’s glow, as suggested by Venipedia. The
serliana water gate and 19th-century trifora add visual interest, though
the Rio di San Luca facade’s round arches are less distinctive. The
palazzo’s compact scale, noted as a “smaller Gothic example” by
venice.jc-r.net, contrasts with grander neighbors like Palazzo Grimani.
Photography: The facade is a popular subject for photographers, framed
by the canal’s activity or the Rialto Bridge’s silhouette. The seahorse
shields, described as “namengebende Darstellungen” (name-giving
depictions), are a focal point, though no on-site signage explains their
significance, a common visitor critique.
Context: The palazzo’s
location near the Rialto Market and Campo San Giacomo di Rialto, with
its Gobbo di Rialto statue, offers a vibrant setting. Nearby bacari like
All’Arco provide cicheti and spritzes, enhancing the experience.
Nearby Attractions:
Rialto Bridge (250 meters northeast): Venice’s
iconic bridge and market hub.
Palazzo Grimani di San Luca (adjacent):
A Renaissance palazzo with a classical facade.
Palazzo Papadopoli
(opposite): A Baroque palazzo, now a luxury hotel.
Teatro La Fenice
(500 meters southeast): Venice’s premier opera house.
Piazza San
Marco (600 meters east): Home to St. Mark’s Basilica and Doge’s Palace.
Accessibility Notes: The canal-side view is fully accessible via water
transport, but the Ramo Contarini entrance involves narrow calli,
challenging for mobility-impaired visitors. Photography is unrestricted
from the canal, and guided canal tours often highlight the palazzo’s
facade and history.
Visitor Feedback: The palazzo is not a major tourist attraction,
overshadowed by landmarks like Ca’ d’Oro or Palazzo Ducale. Tripadvisor
and similar platforms rarely feature it due to its private status, but
architecture enthusiasts on Venipedia and Wikiwand praise its Gothic
piano nobile and seahorse shields as “inconfondibile” (unmistakable).
Visitors note its “altered” appearance due to later additions, with some
preferring the purer Gothic style of nearby palazzi.
Scholarly
and Cultural Notes: Sources like Wikipedia, Venipedia, and
venice.jc-r.net emphasize the palazzo’s Gothic origins, Tiepolo infamy,
and Contarini ownership, with Arslan (1970) and Concina (1995) cited for
architectural analysis. The seahorse shields are a focal point,
symbolizing the Corner family’s maritime identity, while Sargent’s
painting elevates its artistic profile. The palazzo’s role as a Corte di
Appello office underscores Venice’s reuse of historic spaces, though its
limited access restricts its cultural impact.
Modern Relevance:
The palazzo’s potential for hotel conversion, noted in
Venicedevelopmentagency.org, reflects Venice’s tourism-driven economy,
though strict zoning (C - Pre-19th-century triadic layout) and cultural
heritage laws limit changes. Its appearance in canal tour narratives and
digital platforms like Loquis (a podcast on its history) keeps it
relevant for niche audiences. The Biennale’s proximity (1 km east)
indirectly boosts its visibility, as art tourists explore San Marco’s
palazzi.
Preservation Challenges: Venice’s environmental
threats—acqua alta, pollution, and structural wear—require ongoing
maintenance for palazzi like Corner Contarini. The Corte di Appello’s
occupancy ensures funding, but the 19th-century additions and altered
Rio di San Luca facade suggest past interventions that compromise Gothic
purity. Future restorations could focus on the piano nobile’s tracery
and shields, aligning with efforts by Save Venice Inc. for similar
Gothic structures.