The Palazzo Giovanelli, also known as Palazzo Foscarini Giovanelli, is a historic palace in Venice, Italy, located in the Santa Croce sestiere, overlooking the Grand Canal and the Rio di San Giovanni Decollato, near the Church of San Stae and Ca’ Pesaro. Dating back to the mid-15th century, this elegant structure has been transformed into a luxurious 4-star boutique hotel, Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli e Gran Canal, while retaining its rich historical and architectural heritage. Known for hosting illustrious figures such as Doge Marco Foscarini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and Frederick Christian IV, King of Denmark, the palace blends Venetian tradition with modern hospitality.
The Palazzo Giovanelli has a storied past, reflecting Venice’s
aristocratic and cultural history. Its origins and ownership transitions
highlight the city’s complex social and political dynamics.
Construction and Early Ownership:
The palace is believed to have been
constructed in the mid-15th century, with its design attributed to
Filippo Calendario, the architect of the Palazzo Ducale (Doge’s Palace).
This attribution, however, is debated, as Calendario died in 1355,
suggesting either an earlier construction or a later misattribution.
Initially owned by Giovanni Battista Donà, a member of a prominent
Venetian family, the palace was donated by the Republic of Venice in
1538 to Francesco Maria della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, as a gesture of
diplomacy. The Duke later transferred ownership to the Giovanelli family
to settle a debt.
The Giovanelli family, originally from Bergamasco,
amassed wealth through mining investments in Hungary and purchased a
noble title in 1668 for 100,000 ducats, cementing their status in
Venetian society.
Notable Residents:
In the 16th century, the
palace was the residence of the Coccina family, followed by the
Foscarini family. Marco Foscarini, who became Doge of Venice
(1762–1763), lived here in the 18th century, lending the palace its
alternate name, Palazzo Foscarini Giovanelli.
In 1771, Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart and his father, Leopold Mozart, stayed at the palace
during their visit to Venice, adding to its cultural prestige.
Frederick Christian IV, King of Denmark, also resided here in the 18th
century, further elevating the palace’s reputation as a residence for
European royalty.
Later History:
The palace underwent
significant renovations in 1847–1848 by architect Giovanni Battista
Meduna, who also restored the Ca’ d’Oro. These interventions modernized
the structure and introduced a mix of Gothic, late Renaissance, and
neo-Gothic elements, particularly visible on the façade facing the Rio
Fosca.
In the 20th century, the palace was converted into a hotel,
opening as the Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli e Gran Canal in 2010, blending
its historical charm with modern luxury.
The Palazzo Giovanelli is a striking example of Venetian
architecture, with its 15th-century core modified by 19th-century
restorations. Its design reflects the city’s unique environmental and
cultural constraints, combining functionality with opulent aesthetics.
Exterior
Location and Façade:
The palace occupies a prime
position on the Grand Canal, between the Church of San Stae and Ca’
Pesaro, with its main façade facing the canal and a secondary façade
along the Rio di San Giovanni Decollato. Its proximity to the San Stae
vaporetto stop enhances accessibility.
The Grand Canal façade is
elegant and restrained, featuring a white Istrian stone exterior typical
of Venetian palaces. The façade is organized into three levels: a ground
floor with a water gate for gondola access, and two noble floors (piani
nobili) with large windows.
The noble floors are decorated with
quadriforas (four-light windows) flanked by pairs of single-light
windows, supported by a balustrade on the lower quadrifora. These
windows allow ample light into the interior while showcasing the
palace’s symmetry and grandeur.
The Rio Fosca façade reveals Meduna’s
19th-century interventions, with a mix of Gothic pointed arches,
Renaissance rectangular windows, and neo-Gothic details, creating a
layered architectural narrative.
A vine-covered courtyard and a small
bridge over the Rio di San Stae lead to the main entrance, adding to the
palace’s romantic charm.
Water Gate:
The palace features a
waterside door, a traditional Venetian element that allows guests to
arrive directly by water taxi or gondola, enhancing its historical
authenticity and modern appeal.
Interior
Layout:
The
interior follows the typical Venetian palace plan, with a central
portego (hall) on the piano nobile serving as a reception and
circulation space, flanked by smaller rooms. The palace has four
stories, including the ground floor, with 41 rooms now functioning as
hotel accommodations.
The grand reception area features original
features like polychrome marble floors, exposed wooden beams, and stucco
decorations, complemented by modern lighting and furnishings.
Decorative Elements:
The interiors are adorned with frescoes by
Giovanni Battista Zelotti, a 16th-century artist, depicting mythological
figures in wall rosettes. These frescoes, restored under the supervision
of the Soprintendenza delle Belle Arti di Venezia, remain perfectly
preserved.
Murano-glass chandeliers illuminate the spacious lounges,
which feature elegant Italian furniture and Rubelli fabrics, a
prestigious Venetian textile brand.
The piano nobile rooms, once
occupied by Doge Foscarini, retain original 16th-century decorations,
including coffered ceilings, marble chimneys, and stuccos, inspired by
the neo-Gothic style of Meduna’s restorations.
A secret passage from
the 18th century, located in the former Doge’s apartment (now the Mozart
Suite), adds an element of intrigue, reflecting the palace’s historical
use by Venetian nobility.
Rooms and Suites:
The hotel offers a
range of accommodations, from Standard Rooms (22–26 m²) to the Mozart
Suite (120 m²), each uniquely designed with Venetian Terrazzo or parquet
floors, marble bathrooms, and Rubelli textiles.
The Mozart Suite,
with direct Grand Canal views, features a four-poster bed, a period
fireplace, stucco decorations, and a Turkish bath in the bathroom,
offering royal comfort.
Rooms like the Junior Suites and Deluxe Rooms
include exposed ceiling beams, hydro-massage baths, and views of the
Grand Canal, internal garden, or Campo San Stae. Some retain original
16th-century decorations.
The Premier Garden View and Comfort Deluxe
Garden View rooms, recently renovated in a “timeless” style, overlook
the internal courtyard or city rooftops, emphasizing tranquility.
Public Spaces:
The breakfast room on the ground floor offers a
varied buffet with croissants, meats, cheeses, and hot options, served
in a setting with historical charm.
A modern bar and lounge area with
Murano-glass chandeliers provide spaces for guests to relax, though
there are no public spaces with direct canal views.
A luxurious
meeting room and a business center cater to corporate travelers,
blending historical ambiance with modern functionality.
The Palazzo Giovanelli is a microcosm of Venice’s aristocratic,
artistic, and cultural heritage, with its history and features
reflecting the city’s unique identity.
Aristocratic Legacy:
The palace’s association with the Coccina, Foscarini, and Giovanelli
families, as well as its role as a residence for Doge Marco Foscarini,
underscores its importance in Venetian political history.
Its
donation to the Duke of Urbino and subsequent ownership by the
Giovanelli family highlight Venice’s diplomatic and economic networks,
connecting the city to broader European nobility.
Cultural
Prestige:
The presence of Mozart and Frederick Christian IV as guests
ties the palace to Europe’s cultural and intellectual history,
particularly the 18th-century Grand Tour, when Venice was a must-visit
destination for artists and royalty.
The frescoes by Giovanni
Battista Zelotti, a collaborator of Veronese, add significant artistic
value, making the palace a repository of 16th-century Venetian art.
Architectural Importance:
The palace’s blend of 15th-century
Gothic, Renaissance, and neo-Gothic elements, particularly after
Meduna’s 1847–1848 renovations, reflects Venice’s architectural
evolution. Its quadriforas and water gate are quintessential Venetian
features, adapted to the city’s aquatic environment.
The preservation
of original features under the Soprintendenza delle Belle Arti ensures
the palace’s authenticity, making it a valuable case study for
architectural historians.
Modern Role:
As a boutique hotel,
the Palazzo Giovanelli offers a romantic and authentic Venetian
experience, appealing to travelers seeking history and luxury. Its
location in the quieter Santa Croce sestiere provides a tranquil retreat
from tourist-heavy areas like San Marco, yet remains close to key
attractions.
Guest reviews praise its intimate atmosphere, attentive
staff, and historical charm, with a 9.1 rating on Booking.com and a 4/5
on Tripadvisor, reflecting its success as a modern hospitality venue.
Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli e Gran Canal:
The palace now operates as
a 4-star boutique hotel with 41 rooms, opened in 2010. It emphasizes
personalized service, with a multilingual staff, 24-hour concierge, and
amenities like free Wi-Fi, a breakfast buffet, and water taxi bookings.
The hotel’s private jetty allows guests to arrive directly by water,
enhancing the Venetian experience. Its proximity to the San Stae
vaporetto stop (1-minute walk) connects it to St. Mark’s Square (15–20
minutes by vaporetto) and the Rialto Bridge (10-minute walk).
Rooms
range from Standard (22–26 m²) to the Mozart Suite (120 m²), with prices
starting at approximately $184/night (as of 2024, with discounts from
$242). The hotel is rated highly for its location (9.3/10 for couples)
and romantic ambiance.
Accessibility:
The hotel is easily
reachable from Venice Marco Polo Airport (14-minute drive or 55-minute
Alilaguna water shuttle to San Stae) and Santa Lucia train station
(10-minute vaporetto ride).
Nearby attractions include the Ca’ Pesaro
International Gallery of Modern Art (1-minute walk), Venice Casino
(2-minute vaporetto ride), Ca’ d’Oro (5-minute walk), and Rialto Bridge
(600 meters).
The Santa Croce sestiere offers authentic Venetian
experiences, with local osterias like Osteria Mocenigo and La Zucca,
recommended by guests, within a short walk.
Challenges:
Like
many Venetian buildings, the palace faces risks from acqua alta (tidal
flooding), though its elevated ground floor mitigates damage. The
November 2019 flood affected nearby areas, but no specific damage to the
palace was reported.
Some guests note the lack of public spaces with
canal views and occasional navigation difficulties in Santa Croce’s
narrow alleys, though the hotel’s dock and vaporetto access alleviate
these issues.