The Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro, also known simply as Palazzo Molin, is a 15th-century Venetian palace located in the San Marco sestiere at San Marco 1823, 30124, near the intersection of the Rio dei Barcaroli and Rio dei Fuseri. A remarkable example of Venetian Gothic architecture in the fiorito (flowered) style, it was the residence of the noble Molin family, including Francesco Molin, the 99th Doge of Venice (1646–1655). The palace’s name, “del Cuoridoro,” derives from the nearby Calle del Cuoridoro, linked to the historical Venetian art of painting on gilded leather (cuoridoro). Restored in 2013, it has been converted into 17–18 luxury apartments, blending historical charm with modern amenities, and is listed by the Belle Arti for its architectural and historical significance.
The Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro was founded in 1468 by Marco and
Girolamo Molin, sons of Paolo Molin, as recorded in family registries.
The Molin family, one of Venice’s oldest noble lineages, traced their
origins to the 8th century and produced notable figures, including
Francesco Molin, who served as Doge during the War of Candia (1645–1669)
against the Ottomans. The family also included literary scholars and
soldiers, such as Filippo Molin, who famously wrote his testament in his
own blood during the Candian War, an act read in the Venetian Senate.
The palace was built in the San Marco district, replacing an earlier
Molin residence in the parish of San Paterniano (later San Luca, San
Moisè, and San Marco due to diocesan changes). Its strategic location
between two canals and near Piazza San Marco and Teatro La Fenice made
it a prestigious address. The name “del Cuoridoro” reflects the nearby
calle, associated with the Venetian craft of cuoridoro (gilded leather
painting), practiced by artisans like Angelo Ceseletti, who lived on the
ground floor in the 15th–17th centuries.
The palace housed
notable residents, including the controversial Count Francesco Falletti
Castelman in the 18th century and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, who stayed
there in 1771 and reportedly drew inspiration for Don Giovanni from
Castelman’s eccentric persona. In the 20th century, it was briefly owned
by a Trieste-based commercial society and used as part of the Hotel
Vittoria. A major restoration in 2013, overseen by architects like
Giovanni Battista Girello and designer George Efthimiou, transformed the
palace into 17–18 luxury apartments, with interiors by the Milan-based
design group Culti. The project preserved the Gothic fiorito façade,
earning accolades from the Belle Arti for maintaining its historical
integrity.
The Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro is situated in the heart of San
Marco, Venice’s most iconic sestiere, between the Rio dei Barcaroli and
Rio dei Fuseri, near Piazza San Marco (400 meters) and Teatro La Fenice
(120 meters). Its location, accessible via the private Calle del
Cuoridoro off the Frezzeria, a bustling shopping street, places it in a
vibrant yet romantic enclave, close to Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo (100
meters) and Chiesa di San Moisè (200 meters). The palace’s canal-side
setting offers picturesque views, particularly from the Ponte dei
Barcaroli o del Cuoridoro, similar to the scenic canal contexts of San
Raffaele Arcangelo and Palazzo Basadonna in Dorsoduro.
The
nearest vaporetto stops are Rialto (Lines 1, 2, and N, 400 meters) and
San Marco Vallaresso (Line 1, 500 meters), with the Alilaguna service to
Venice Marco Polo Airport (18 km) available at San Marco. The Santa
Lucia railway station is 1.5 km away, reachable by vaporetto or a
20-minute walk. The palace’s proximity to landmarks like the Rialto
Bridge (500 meters) and Basilica di San Marco (400 meters) makes it a
convenient base for exploring Venice.
As a private residential
building, the palace is not open to the public, limiting access to its
exterior, which can be viewed from the Rio dei Barcaroli or Calle del
Cuoridoro. Some apartments, managed by agencies like Venice Sotheby’s
International Realty and Red House Company, are available for short-term
rentals (e.g., the Guarana and Massari apartments), offering a chance to
experience the interior. Rental bookings can be made via platforms like
Booking.com, with prices starting at €200–€300 per night, depending on
the season. Visitors should contact agencies directly for availability
and check-in details, noting a €50–€100 surcharge for late arrivals
after 8:00 PM.
The Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro is a quintessential example of
Venetian Gothic architecture in the fiorito style, characterized by
ornate, floral motifs and pointed arches, popular in Venice from the
14th to 15th centuries. Its design, dating to 1468, reflects the city’s
architectural peak during the Renaissance’s early stirrings, with a
blend of Gothic and Moorish influences (gotico-moresco).
Exterior
The main façade, overlooking the Rio dei Barcaroli, is a masterpiece of
Gothic fiorito, listed by the Belle Arti for its historical and artistic
value. It comprises two distinct buildings:
Main Building:
Features a ground floor, mezzanine, two piani nobili (noble floors), a
third floor, and a mansard. The façade is dominated by two exceptional
quadrifore (four-light windows) with pointed arches, trefoil
decorations, and marble balustrades, supported by three marble columns
with foliated capitals. These windows, described as “artistic
masterpieces,” capture light and canal reflections, creating a dreamlike
effect.
Secondary Building: Smaller, with a ground floor, mezzanine,
and one piano nobile, it features a trifora (three-light window) and
single-light windows with Gothic arches and fleurons.
The façade’s
polychrome brickwork, cordon moldings, and corner capitals with leaf
motifs enhance its Gothic elegance, contrasting with the restrained
neoclassicism of La Maddalena or the Baroque exuberance of San Moisè.
The rear façade, facing a private courtyard, is simpler but includes a
portal with the Molin coat of arms (a mill wheel, symbolizing the family
name) and three 18th-century busts, adding a neoclassical touch. Two
water gates allow direct canal access, a practical feature shared with
Palazzo Basadonna’s fontego design. The courtyard, with tables and
chairs under umbrellas, is a rare urban oasis, similar to the gardens of
Palazzo Basadonna and the Peggy Guggenheim Collection.
Interior
The interior, restored in 2013, blends historical elements with modern
luxury. The androne (ground-floor hallway) and courtyard serve as
communal spaces, furnished with elegant sofas and a concierge desk
(10:00 AM–5:30 PM, weekdays). The apartments, designed by Culti,
feature:
Marmorino Walls: A traditional Venetian plaster of lime
and marble dust, adding texture and elegance.
Terrazzo or Parquet
Flooring: Venetian granite or wooden floors, reflecting historical
craftsmanship.
Marble Bathrooms: Equipped with modern amenities like
walk-in showers.
Modern Amenities: Air conditioning, heating
(regulated seasonally by municipal rules), Wi-Fi, and fully equipped
kitchens with dishwashers and microwaves.
The piano nobile
apartments, such as the Guarana, feature spacious living areas, two
bedrooms, and canal or courtyard views, with designer furnishings by
Pretty Nice Design. The restoration preserved original Gothic elements,
like arched doorways, while introducing contemporary comforts, a balance
seen in Palazzo Basadonna’s neoclassical updates but contrasting with
the unaltered interiors of churches like San Giuseppe or Sant’Antonin.
The Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro embodies Venice’s aristocratic and
mercantile heritage, reflecting the Molin family’s prominence as doges,
scholars, and soldiers. Its association with Francesco Molin and
historical figures like Mozart, who performed a piano concert there in
1771, adds cultural cachet, akin to the literary ties of San Raffaele
Arcangelo (Miss Garnet’s Angel) or the modern art legacy of the Peggy
Guggenheim Collection. The cuoridoro connection highlights Venice’s
artisanal traditions, paralleling the cultural specificity of the Scuola
degli Albanesi’s Albanian identity.
The palace’s restoration into
luxury apartments, marketed by Venice Sotheby’s International Realty,
reflects Venice’s adaptation of historic structures for modern use,
similar to Palazzo Basadonna’s role as a school or the Peggy
Guggenheim’s museum function. Its listing by the Belle Arti underscores
its importance to Venetian heritage, akin to the conservation efforts
for San Giuseppe di Castello and La Maddalena. The palace’s brief
association with celebrities like George Clooney (who dined nearby
during his 2014 wedding) and Sofia Loren (photographed on a nearby
balcony in 1955) adds modern allure, though these claims pertain to
another Molin property.
As a private residential building, the Palazzo Molin del Cuoridoro is
not a public attraction, limiting engagement to its exterior, best
viewed from the Ponte dei Barcaroli o del Cuoridoro. The Gothic fiorito
façade, with its quadrifore and water gates, is a highlight for
architecture enthusiasts, praised in reviews as “stunning” and “a
perfect example of Venetian Gothic” (Tripadvisor, 4.5/5 for nearby
rentals). Short-term apartment rentals, such as the Guarana or Massari,
offer access to the interior, with Booking.com reviews rating the
apartments 8.6–8.9/10 for their “excellent location” and “exceptional
cleanliness.” Guests appreciate the courtyard’s charm and the concierge
service, though some note the high cost and strict no-smoking/candle
policies.
The palace’s proximity to Piazza San Marco, Teatro La
Fenice, and Rialto Market makes it ideal for exploring San Marco. Nearby
attractions include:
Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo (100 meters):
Iconic spiral staircase.
Chiesa di San Moisè (200 meters): Baroque
church with ornate façade.
Museo Correr (400 meters): Venetian
history and art.
Dining options like Ristorante Da Ivo (100 meters,
frequented by Clooney) and Marchini Time (historic pastry shop since
1966) offer local cuisine.
For a family of four seeking affordable
three-star accommodation in San Marco, alternatives like Hotel Al Codega
(0.3 km) or Hotel Antico Capon (0.5 km) are available via Booking.com or
Tripadvisor, as the palace’s apartments are luxury rentals. Visitors
should book rentals in advance and confirm check-in times to avoid
surcharges.