The Palazzo Boldù a San Felice, also known as Palazzo Boldù Ghisi, is a 16th-century palace located on the Grand Canal in the Cannaregio sestiere of Venice, Italy. Positioned between the Palazzetto Da Lezze and Palazzo Contarini Pisani, this palazzo exemplifies Venetian architecture with its asymmetrical facade, blending Gothic and Renaissance influences. Originally built for the Boldù family, it later passed to the Ghisi and Contarini families, with significant reconstructions in the late 17th century. The palazzo is celebrated for its historical occupants, including military leaders and a podestà, and its frescoes by Jacopo Guarana. Today, it remains a private residence, with limited public access, but its striking canal-front presence makes it a notable landmark.
The Palazzo Boldù a San Felice’s history reflects Venice’s mercantile
and noble heritage, marked by transitions in ownership and cultural
significance:
Origins (16th Century): The palazzo was erected in
the 16th century for the Boldù family, a patrician family from
Conegliano recently admitted to the Venetian nobility as part of the
“Case Nuove” (new houses) of the Republic. The Boldùs were known for
their contributions to Venetian society, including building the Church
of San Samuele in the 10th century and restoring San Giacomo. The
palazzo’s construction leveraged the family’s wealth and status,
situating it prominently on the Grand Canal.
Notable Early Occupants
(1504–1524): The palazzo housed distinguished figures early in its
history. In 1504, Consalvo, a Spanish noble and castellan of Forlì,
resided here. In 1523, Giovanni Orsini, a condottiere fighting for
Venice, occupied the palace, followed in 1524 by G. Francesco Gonzaga
(called da Lucera), another mercenary leader. These military connections
highlight the palazzo’s role as a residence for influential figures
during Venice’s military campaigns.
Ghisi Family Ownership (Late 17th
Century): By the late 1600s, the palazzo passed to the Ghisi family
through the 1657 marriage of Adriana Ghisi to a Boldù member. The Ghisi
family rebuilt the structure, introducing significant architectural
changes that shaped its current form. This reconstruction likely
included the asymmetrical facade and the addition of a serliana
(Palladian window), reflecting Renaissance influences.
Contarini
Family Acquisition (18th Century): The palazzo was later purchased by
the Contarini family, owners of the adjacent Palazzo Contarini Pisani.
The Contarinis planned to unify the two buildings, but this project was
never realized, contributing to the palazzo’s “sense of incompletion,”
similar to the nearby Palazzo Flangini. This unfulfilled ambition left
the facade asymmetrical, with openings skewed toward the Contarini
Pisani side.
Giuseppe Boldù and Legacy (1793–1837): In 1793, Giuseppe
Boldù, who later served as Podestà of Venice, was born in the palazzo.
His tenure as podestà was marked by courage despite personal illness, as
he oversaw significant civic projects, including the reconstruction of
the Fenice theater. Giuseppe, son of Francesco Boldù and Anna
Giovanelli, died in 1837, marking the extinction of the Boldù a San
Felice male line. His legacy, celebrated in Venetian chronicles,
underscores the palazzo’s connection to civic leadership.
Modern Era:
The palazzo has remained a private residence, with no record of
conversion into a public institution or hotel. Its historical
significance is documented in sources like Conoscere Venezia and
Wikipedia, but it lacks the public prominence of palazzi like the
Palazzo Pisani Gritti. Its preservation as a private building has
protected its authenticity, though it limits access.
The Palazzo Boldù a San Felice is a striking example of Venetian
architecture, blending 16th-century Gothic roots with late 17th-century
Renaissance modifications. Its asymmetrical facade and functional design
reflect the practical constraints of its Grand Canal site. Key
architectural features include:
Grand Canal Facade: The facade is
notably asymmetrical, with the main openings shifted toward the right,
aligning with the adjacent Palazzo Contarini Pisani. This irregularity,
described as giving a “decided sense of incompletion,” results from the
Contarini’s unfulfilled unification plan and the Ghisi reconstruction.
The ground floor is clad in rustic ashlar, providing a textured base,
while the upper floors are plastered with smooth Istrian stone, a common
Venetian contrast. The facade’s design prioritizes functionality over
ornamental grandeur, typical of “minor” Venetian palazzi.
Ground
Floor: The ground floor features a single water portal (porta d’acqua),
facilitating direct canal access for goods and residents, a standard
feature of Grand Canal palazzi. The ashlar cladding adds durability and
aesthetic weight, protecting against canal moisture. The portal’s
simplicity contrasts with the more elaborate upper floors.
First
Noble Floor (Primo Piano Nobile): The first piano nobile is highlighted
by a serliana (Palladian or Venetian window), a three-part window with a
central arched opening flanked by two rectangular ones, topped by a
lintel. This Renaissance feature, likely added during the Ghisi
reconstruction, reflects the influence of architects like Andrea
Palladio. The serliana is accompanied by a single monofora (single-light
window) to the left, maintaining the asymmetrical layout. A balcony
enhances the serliana’s prominence, offering canal views.
Second
Noble Floor (Secondo Piano Nobile): The second piano nobile features a
trifora (three-light window) of equal width to the serliana below, with
pointed Gothic arches softened by Renaissance detailing. This trifora,
also with a balcony, continues the asymmetrical placement, skewed
rightward. The use of Istrian stone frames emphasizes elegance and
durability.
Interior Decorations: The interiors were frescoed by
Jacopo Guarana (1720–1808), a prominent Venetian Rococo artist known for
his work in palazzi like Ca’ Rezzonico and Palazzo Erizzo. These
frescoes, likely on the piani nobili, depict mythological or allegorical
scenes, though their current condition is undocumented due to private
ownership. The interiors likely follow a traditional Venetian layout,
with a central portego (grand hall) flanked by smaller rooms, featuring
terrazzo floors, wooden beamed ceilings, and stucco decorations.
Structural Details: The palazzo’s foundation rests on wooden piles
driven into the lagoon’s clay, a standard Venetian technique. The
structure uses lightweight brick, with Istrian stone for decorative and
structural elements like window frames and balconies. The asymmetrical
facade, while visually striking, reflects practical adaptations to the
site’s constraints and the Ghisi family’s reconstruction priorities.