Palazzo Contarini Michiel is a Venetian civil building, located in the Dorsoduro district and overlooking the Grand Canal between Ca' Rezzonico and Palazzetto Stern.
Built by the Contarini family and then passed on to the Michiel family without knowing the date and reason for this change of ownership, it was probably initially composed of two separate buildings. The two buildings were unified in the 18th century (probably by Teresa Corner Duodo); the mansion later became the property first of the Donà family and then of the sculptor Valentino Besarel. The latter personally oversaw a meticulous restoration. The property was completely refurbished in 2009.
The main front, which overlooks the Grand Canal, appears to be composed of two visibly separate facades and without architectural continuity except in the stylistic references linked, for example, to the openings. The most notable elements of the uneven composition are undoubtedly the two mullioned windows, almost in contact: the body on the left has a three-light window moved to the right, the one on the right, lower, a four-light window moved to the left. On the back there is a large private garden. The interiors of the building on the left are decorated with Neo-Rococo style stuccoes dating back to the 20th century, whose author is unknown.