The Palazzo Gradenigo, located in the Santa Croce sestiere of Venice, Italy, is a distinguished 17th-century palace overlooking the Rio Marin, near the Palazzo Soranzo Cappello and the Church of San Simeone Profeta. Designed by architect Domenico Margutti, a student of the renowned Baldassare Longhena, the palace was built as the grand residence of the Gradenigo family, one of Venice’s most illustrious aristocratic families, which produced several doges, including Pietro Gradenigo (1289–1311) and Bartolomeo Gradenigo (1339–1342). Renowned for its once-vast garden, historical significance, and artistic features, the palace has served as a venue for lavish celebrations, a residence for European nobility like Archduke Frederick of Austria, and an inspiration for literary works such as Gabriele D’Annunzio’s novel Il Fuoco. Today, parts of the palace are used as private residences, including apartments managed by Wonderful Italy, and it has been partially acquired by artist Ahmet Güneştekin to serve as the Güneştekin Art Refinery.
The Palazzo Gradenigo’s history is deeply intertwined with the
Gradenigo family’s prominence and Venice’s cultural and political
landscape.
Origins and Construction:
The palace was
constructed at the end of the 17th century (circa 1680s–1690s) based on
a design by Domenico Margutti, a disciple of Baldassare Longhena, the
architect of iconic Venetian landmarks like the Basilica della Salute.
Some sources suggest Longhena himself may have contributed to the
design, though this is speculative.
Built as the grand residence of
the Gradenigo family, the palace reflected their status as one of the 24
founding families of the Venetian Republic. The Gradenigos were notably
influential, with Pietro Gradenigo implementing the Serrata del Maggior
Consiglio (1297), which restricted political power to a closed
aristocratic class, and Bartolomeo Gradenigo overseeing early expansions
of the Doge’s Palace.
The palace was a center for lavish
celebrations, particularly in its extensive gardens, which were among
the largest in Venice until the early 20th century. These events
underscored the family’s wealth and social prominence.
Notable
Residents and Events:
In the 19th century, the palace was home to
Archduke Frederick of Austria, who lived and died there, adding to its
prestige as a residence for European nobility.
The palace’s gardens
inspired settings in Gabriele D’Annunzio’s novel Il Fuoco (1900), which
also drew from the nearby Palazzo Soranzo Cappello, highlighting the Rio
Marin area’s literary significance. Henry James’s The Aspern Papers
similarly referenced the neighboring palace, cementing the area’s
cultural cachet.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the
palace fell into decline, with its interiors partitioned into smaller
apartments and its garden reduced due to urban development. Restoration
efforts led by art restorer Toto Bergamo Rossi beginning in 1999
revitalized the palace, preserving its historical and artistic features.
Modern Era:
In 2023, Turkish artist Ahmet Güneştekin announced
the acquisition of part of the palace to transform it into the
Güneştekin Art Refinery, a cultural and artistic hub, marking a new
chapter in its history.
Parts of the palace are now managed by
Wonderful Italy, offering a luxurious apartment with a rooftop terrace
for short-term rentals, catering to visitors seeking an authentic
Venetian experience.
The Palazzo Gradenigo is a fine example of late Baroque Venetian
architecture, characterized by its functional adaptation to the Rio
Marin and its elegant, asymmetrical façade. Its design balances grandeur
with the practical constraints of Venice’s canal-side urban environment.
Exterior
Location and Façade:
The palace is situated in the
Santa Croce sestiere, overlooking the Rio Marin, a canal branching off
the Grand Canal. Its proximity to Palazzo Soranzo Cappello, the Church
of San Simeone Profeta, and the Venice Santa Lucia Train Station
(3-minute walk) makes it easily accessible.
The canal façade is broad
and asymmetrical, a hallmark of Margutti’s design and possibly
influenced by Longhena’s dynamic Baroque style. It is articulated over
three levels plus an attic with square windows, creating a vertical
rhythm.
The ground floor features two large portals, serving as water
gates for gondola access, a necessity in Venice’s aquatic environment.
Above, the piano nobile (main noble floor) is distinguished by a
four-light loggia (quadrifora) in the right wing, providing ample light
and a focal point of architectural interest.
The façade’s asymmetry,
with only a right wing for the loggia, reflects the site’s irregular
plot, a common challenge in Venetian architecture. The use of Istrian
stone for window frames and portals contrasts with the brick exterior,
enhancing durability and aesthetic appeal.
Courtyard and Garden:
A large gate on the Fondamenta Gradenigo leads to a small courtyard,
which connects directly to the androne (ground-floor hall). The
courtyard is atypical, with a square-like plan rather than the elongated
layout common in Venetian palaces.
The palace’s garden, once among
the largest in Venice, was a source of pride for the Gradenigo family
and a venue for grand celebrations. Urban development in the 20th
century significantly reduced its size, but a small portion remains,
offering a rare green space in the city.
Two additional small
courtyards provide light to the interior, compensating for the palace’s
canal-side orientation.
Interior
Layout:
The interior
follows the traditional Venetian palace plan, with a central portego on
the piano nobile serving as a reception and circulation space, flanked
by smaller rooms. The androne on the ground floor is square-like,
featuring an enormous fanò (lantern) approximately 2 meters high, a
distinctive decorative element.
A staircase with marble-inlaid
flooring leads to the upper floors, reflecting the palace’s aristocratic
origins. The staircase’s design is functional yet elegant, typical of
late Baroque Venetian architecture.
The palace has been partitioned
over time, with the second piano nobile suffering horizontal
subdivisions, though the portego retains its original proportions.
Restoration efforts have preserved key features, particularly on the
first piano nobile.
Decorative Elements:
The interiors feature
17th-century stucco work and 18th-century frescoes, some attributed to
Jacopo Guarana, a prominent Venetian artist known for his Rococo-style
decorations. These frescoes, located in two apartments on the first
piano nobile, depict mythological or allegorical scenes, adding to the
palace’s artistic value.
Rocailled plaster walls in the dining room,
as described in Skye McAlpine’s apartment, are adorned with portraits of
Gradenigo doges, emphasizing the family’s historical prominence.
Exposed wooden beams and large windows in the apartments, particularly
in the Wonderful Italy rental, create a bright, airy atmosphere,
blending historical charm with modern comfort.
The sala di
rappresentanza (reception hall), restored by Toto Bergamo Rossi, has
regained its original proportions, revealing remnants of frescoes and
plaster ornamentation. The ceiling features 18th-century frescoes by
Francesco Fontebasso and Jacopo Amigoni, which were at risk of
disintegration before restoration.
Modern Apartment (Wonderful
Italy):
The Palazzo Gradenigo by Wonderful Italy apartment, located
on the third floor (no elevator), spans 220 m² over two levels. It
includes:
A living area with sofas, a dining table, and a TV,
surrounded by large windows offering views of Venice’s rooftops.
An
open kitchen with a dishwasher, oven, toaster, and coffee machine.
Four bedrooms: two with queen-size beds, one with two single beds, and
one with a single bed, accommodating up to 6–7 guests.
Two bathrooms
with bathtubs and hairdryers.
Amenities like free Wi-Fi, air
conditioning, heating, a washing machine, and an iron.
A rooftop
terrace with city views, a highlight for guests seeking panoramic
sunsets.
The apartment’s exposed beams, sound-proofed windows, and
antique furniture preserve the palace’s “fading grandeur,” as noted in
guest reviews, while modern upgrades ensure comfort.
The Palazzo Gradenigo is a cultural and historical landmark,
reflecting Venice’s aristocratic heritage, artistic richness, and
literary connections.
Gradenigo Family Legacy:
The Gradenigo
family’s influence is evident in their contributions to Venetian
governance, notably through Pietro Gradenigo’s Serrata del Maggior
Consiglio and Bartolomeo Gradenigo’s expansions of the Doge’s Palace.
Portraits of Gradenigo doges in the palace’s dining room underscore this
legacy.
The palace’s role as a venue for grand celebrations,
particularly in its gardens, highlights the family’s social prominence
and their contribution to Venice’s festive culture.
Artistic
Treasures:
The frescoes by Jacopo Guarana, Francesco Fontebasso, and
Jacopo Amigoni are significant examples of 18th-century Venetian Rococo
art, characterized by light colors, playful motifs, and allegorical
themes. Their preservation through Rossi’s restoration efforts ensures
their accessibility to future generations.
The palace’s stucco work
and rocailled plaster walls reflect the opulent decorative trends of the
Baroque and Rococo periods, aligning with the aesthetic of other
Venetian palaces like Palazzo Giovanelli.
Literary and Cultural
Connections:
The palace’s gardens inspired Gabriele D’Annunzio’s Il
Fuoco, which describes the Rio Marin area’s romantic and decadent
atmosphere. This literary connection, shared with the neighboring
Palazzo Soranzo Cappello (featured in Henry James’s The Aspern Papers),
underscores the area’s significance in 19th- and 20th-century
literature.
The palace’s restoration by Toto Bergamo Rossi, a key
figure in Venetian Heritage, highlights its role in preserving Venice’s
fragile architectural legacy. Rossi’s work on the piano nobile and
gardens mirrors his broader efforts to restore Venetian landmarks like
the Basilica di San Marco.
Modern Cultural Role:
The
Güneştekin Art Refinery, established in 2023, positions the palace as a
contemporary cultural hub, hosting art exhibitions and events. This
initiative aligns with Venice’s role as a global center for art,
particularly during the Biennale.
The Wonderful Italy apartment,
rated 8/10 by guests on Booking.com, offers a tangible link to the
palace’s history, allowing visitors to experience its aristocratic
ambiance. Guest reviews praise its “fading grandeur,” “quirkiness,” and
“fabulous terrace views,” making it a sought-after destination in Santa
Croce.
Current Functions:
Wonderful Italy Apartment: The third-floor
apartment, accessible via a spiral staircase, is a popular rental for
6–7 guests, offering a rooftop terrace, air conditioning, and free
Wi-Fi. Located at Santa Croce 768, it is a 3-minute walk from Venice
Santa Lucia Station and 650 meters from the Basilica dei Frari, with a
location score of 9.0/10 on Booking.com. Guests must inform the property
of arrival times and present ID and a credit card at check-in.
Güneştekin Art Refinery: Since 2023, part of the palace serves as an art
space under Ahmet Güneştekin, hosting exhibitions and cultural events.
Details about public access are limited, but it aligns with Venice’s
art-focused tourism.
Private Residences: Other sections, including
Skye McAlpine’s apartment and the Frigerio Zeno family’s top-floor
residence, remain private, preserving the palace’s aristocratic
heritage.
Accessibility:
The Wonderful Italy apartment is
easily reachable from Venice Marco Polo Airport (8.1 miles, with paid
shuttle service) and Santa Lucia Station (300 meters). Nearby
attractions include the Rialto Bridge (15-minute walk), Ca’ d’Oro
(10-minute walk), and St. Mark’s Square (25-minute walk).
The Art
Refinery may offer event-based access, particularly during the Venice
Biennale, but specific visiting information is unavailable. Interested
visitors should contact Güneştekin’s team for updates.
The palace’s
private areas, including the restored piano nobile, are not open to the
public, though Venetian Heritage occasionally organizes tours of
restored sites, which may include Gradenigo.
Challenges:
Acqua
alta (tidal flooding) poses a risk to the palace’s ground floor, as seen
in the November 2019 flood, though its elevated design mitigates damage.
The lack of an elevator in the Wonderful Italy apartment may challenge
guests with mobility issues, and the absence of on-site parking reflects
Venice’s pedestrian nature.
Guest reviews note occasional navigation
difficulties in Santa Croce’s alleys, but the palace’s proximity to
Piazzale Roma and vaporetto stops alleviates this.