The Palazzo Donà Balbi is a notable palace in Venice, Italy, situated in the Santa Croce sestiere, overlooking the right bank of the Grand Canal at the Riva di Biasio fondamenta, opposite the Palazzo Flangini and adjacent to the Church of San Geremia. This 17th-century structure, likely formed by unifying three older buildings, represents a fine example of Venetian "minor architecture," blending Gothic, Renaissance, and Liberty (Art Nouveau) elements across its complex history. Owned by the Città Metropolitana di Venezia (formerly the Province of Venice), it has served as the regional school office and is currently proposed as the site for the reconstructed Teatro San Cassiano, a historic Baroque opera house.
The Palazzo Donà Balbi’s history reflects Venice’s architectural
evolution and the prominence of its noble families:
Origins
(14th–17th Century): The oldest part of the palazzo dates to the
mid-14th century, evidenced by a Gothic trifora (three-light window) on
the first piano nobile overlooking an internal courtyard. The current
structure, however, emerged in the 17th century, likely through the
consolidation of three adjacent buildings, a common practice in Venice
to create larger residences. This unification, completed around the
early 1700s, formed the central nucleus, which exemplifies a typical
Venetian noble residence.
Ownership by Noble Families: The palazzo
was associated with several distinguished Venetian families, including:
Nani “della Zoia” or “dalla Boccola”: Named for the garland-like emblem
in their coat of arms, indicating “joy” or “bud.”
Priuli di San
Felice or degli Scarponi/Scarpon: A noble family with a distinctive
nickname.
Donà di Riva di Biasio dalle Tresse: Including Doge Nicolò
Donà (1540–1618), a significant figure in Venetian governance.
Grimani, Balbi dei Do’ Ponti/Porto, Balbi-Leoni/Lion, and Toso: The Toso
family, descended from industrialist Angelo Toso, owned the palazzo in
the 19th century. In 1973, Countess Maria Angela Toso, widow of
Lucheschi, sold it to the Province of Venice.
Acquisition by the
Province of Venice (1973–1985): The Province purchased the palazzo on
October 31, 1973, from the Lucheschi family for use as the
Provveditorato agli Studi (regional school office). Additional adjacent
properties were acquired in 1985 from Gianpietro Trivellato, and
marginal units were sold to the Comune di Venezia in 1994. These
transactions expanded and refined the complex, ensuring its public use.
Restoration (1980s–1990s): A comprehensive restoration and conservative
refurbishment, completed in the early 1990s, addressed structural issues
and adapted the palazzo for office use. Further upgrades in the 2000s
focused on safety, fire prevention, and plumbing, preserving its
historical features while modernizing facilities.
Proposed Teatro San
Cassiano (2023–Present): In October 2023, the Teatro San Cassiano Group
submitted a Manifestation of Interest to the Città Metropolitana to
acquire the palazzo and reconstruct the historic Teatro San Cassiano
(1637) in its garden, where modern office buildings currently stand. The
€60 million project aims to restore Baroque opera to Venice, creating a
global center for research, production, and performance, with a planned
opening by 2028. The palazzo’s strategic location and historical
significance make it an ideal site, though the proposal awaits approval
from municipal authorities and the Venetian community.
The Palazzo Donà Balbi is a composite structure, its architecture
shaped by the unification of older buildings and subsequent
modifications. Described as a “pregevole esempio di architettura minore”
(fine example of minor architecture), it combines Gothic, Renaissance,
and Liberty elements, with a focus on functional elegance rather than
opulent grandeur. Key architectural features include:
Grand Canal
Facade: The plastered facade, divided into three vertical sections, is
sober yet distinctive, with the rightmost section serving as the primary
focus. This section features the only access door from the Riva di
Biasio and two quadriforme (four-light windows) with balconies on the
two piani nobili, each flanked by a single-light window (monofora) to
the left. The other two sections have triplets of monofore, with the
leftmost section’s windows positioned unevenly, reflecting the palazzo’s
composite origins. All openings have round arches with frames, typical
of 17th-century Venetian design. The ground floor, in stone, shows
evidence of two sealed secondary entrances, indicating historical
modifications.
Internal Courtyard: The internal courtyard is a
highlight, accessible via the portego (main hall) and enriched by a late
15th-century vera da pozzo (wellhead) with a rounded design and two
central rosettes. The courtyard includes a garden with a curious
19th-century stone bathtub, adding an eclectic touch. A Gothic trifora
from the mid-14th century, located on the first piano nobile overlooking
the courtyard, is the oldest surviving element, supported by five
15th-century Gothic corbels with lion’s head carvings in Istrian stone,
symbolizing guardianship.
Interior Decorations: The interiors,
adapted for office use, retain significant historical features,
particularly on the first piano nobile. These include:
Frescoes and
Polychrome Stucco: Vibrant wall paintings and raised stucco decorations,
showcasing Venetian artistry.
Tapestried Walls and Iconography:
Fabric-covered walls with symbolic motifs, a luxurious feature of noble
residences.
Venetian Terrazzo Floors: Intricate, colorful floor
designs, a hallmark of Venetian craftsmanship.
Lead-Glass Windows:
Wooden-framed windows with leaded glass, adding to the palazzo’s
historical charm. The ground floor primarily serves as an archive, while
upper floors house offices, connected by a stone staircase and modern
elevators.
Structural Composition: The palazzo comprises three
interconnected zones of varying heights and dimensions, with autonomous
entrances from Riva di Biasio and Calle Sagredo. The central nucleus,
developed on four levels (ground floor plus three upper floors), is the
most architecturally significant, built in the early 18th century. Its
composite nature reflects the unification of a 14th-century Gothic
building with 16th- and 17th-century additions, creating a harmonious
yet eclectic whole.
Liberty Influences: Later modifications,
particularly in the 19th and early 20th centuries, introduced Liberty
(Art Nouveau) elements, such as decorative details in the interiors,
which complement the earlier Gothic and Renaissance features. These are
documented in the 2018 guide Dal Gotico al Liberty, il fascino di
Palazzo Donà Balbi, produced by the Città Metropolitana.
Proposed
Teatro Addition: The Teatro San Cassiano project envisions a new theater
in the garden, replacing existing office buildings. The restored palazzo
would house a visitor center, research library, museum, restaurant,
rooftop gallery, and educational facilities, integrating with the
theater to form a cohesive cultural complex.