The Palazzo Barzizza is a historic palace located on the Grand Canal in the sestiere (district) of San Polo, Venice, Italy, adjacent to the Palazzo Giustinian Businello and opposite the Palazzo Cavalli. Originally constructed in the 13th century by the Contarini family in the fondaco style—a Venetian architectural form combining warehouses at the base with residential quarters above—it is a restructured example of Venetian Gothic architecture. Acquired by the Barzizza family in the 18th century, the palace has undergone numerous renovations, resulting in an eclectic facade that reflects centuries of modifications.
Origins and the Contarini Family
The Palazzo Barzizza was built in
the 13th century by the Contarini family, one of Venice’s most prominent
patrician families, known for producing eight Doges and owning numerous
palaces across the city. Erected in the fondaco style, the palace served
a dual purpose: the ground floor functioned as a warehouse for storing
goods, reflecting Venice’s mercantile economy, while the upper floors
provided living quarters for the family. This design was typical of
Venetian palaces during the Middle Ages, as the city’s wealth depended
on trade facilitated by the Grand Canal, its primary “street.” The exact
builders or architects of the original structure remain unknown, but the
palace’s early form likely incorporated Byzantine and Gothic elements
prevalent in 13th-century Venice.
The Contarini family’s
ownership underscores the palace’s initial prestige. Their influence in
Venetian politics and commerce ensured the palace was a significant hub
within the city’s economic and social networks. Over time, however, the
palace changed hands, reflecting the shifting fortunes of Venetian
families.
Acquisition by the Barzizza Family
In the 18th
century, the palace was acquired by the Barzizza family, who gave it its
current name. The Barzizza were a notable family, though less prominent
than the Contarini. Their ownership coincided with a period of decline
for Venice’s maritime dominance, and the palace underwent significant
modifications during this time, including the reconstruction of the left
wing and the addition of balconies. These changes reflect the family’s
efforts to modernize the structure while adapting it to contemporary
tastes.
Another Palazzo Barzizza, located near the church of
Santa Lucia, once existed but was destroyed in the 19th century,
possibly during urban developments like the construction of the Venice
Santa Lucia railway station. This distinction clarifies that the Grand
Canal’s Palazzo Barzizza is the surviving structure associated with the
family’s legacy.
Historical Evolution
The palace’s history is
marked by multiple refurbishments, particularly in the 16th, 17th, and
18th centuries, which altered its original Gothic character. These
renovations were driven by practical needs—such as adapting to changing
commercial or residential functions—and aesthetic trends, including the
incorporation of Renaissance and Baroque elements. The palace’s location
near the Rialto, Venice’s commercial heart, ensured its continued
relevance, though its role as a fondaco likely diminished as trade
patterns shifted. Today, it remains a private residence, a testament to
its enduring adaptability.
Facade and Exterior
The Palazzo Barzizza’s facade is a striking,
albeit asymmetrical, blend of architectural styles, described as a
“hodge podge” due to centuries of renovations. Its original 13th-century
design was rooted in the Venetian Gothic style, characterized by pointed
arches, lacy tracery, and Byzantine-Moorish influences, which reflected
Venice’s trade connections with the East. Key features of the facade
include:
Fondaco Structure: The ground floor, originally a
warehouse, features a 16th-century portal partially obscured by a ledge
protruding into the Grand Canal. This protrusion, topped with a small
garden, is an unusual addition that disrupts the facade’s symmetry and
has been described as an “afterthought.” The portal’s design suggests
Renaissance influences, contrasting with the Gothic upper levels.
Byzantine Arcade: Remnants of a Byzantine-style arcade, including a
weathered gate and four patere (decorative circular reliefs), survive on
the ground floor, harking back to the palace’s 13th-century origins.
These elements are characteristic of the casa-fondaco style, where
water-level arcades facilitated trade. The arcade’s high quality,
compared to similar structures like the Corte del Milion, underscores
its historical significance.
Piano Nobile: The piano nobile (main
floor) features a five-light loggia with Byzantine arches and marble
incrustation, a hallmark of Venetian Gothic architecture. This loggia,
conserved from the 13th century, would have provided light and
ventilation to the principal living quarters while showcasing the
family’s wealth. The arches are likely inflected, drawing on Moorish
influences, and the tracery may include quatrefoils, a decorative motif
inspired by the Doge’s Palace.
Upper Floors and Modifications: The
left wing and top floor were reconstructed in the 18th century, with
balconies added to modernize the facade. A 17th-century porch in the
right wing, adorned with a Byzantine cross, further diversifies the
architectural timeline. These later additions introduce Baroque and
neoclassical elements, contributing to the facade’s eclectic appearance.
Materials: The facade employs Istrian stone, a durable white limestone
common in Venetian architecture, alongside brick and marble accents. The
use of large windows, enabled by Venice’s proximity to Murano’s glass
industry and the city’s relative safety from land-based threats,
maximizes light and canal views, a hallmark of Venetian palaces.
The
facade’s lack of symmetry, while visually striking, deviates from the
balanced compositions of other Grand Canal palaces, such as the Ca’
d’Oro or Palazzo Corner Spinelli. This irregularity, combined with the
garden-topped protrusion, gives the Palazzo Barzizza a distinctive,
almost quirky charm, described as “unattractively attractive” by
observers.
Interior
Little is documented about the Palazzo
Barzizza’s interior, as it remains a private residence inaccessible to
the public. However, based on the fondaco style, the ground floor likely
featured storage spaces with robust stone walls to withstand the
lagoon’s humidity. The piano nobile would have included a portego, a
long central hall typical of Venetian palaces, opening onto the loggia
and flanked by smaller rooms for family use. The portego’s cross-section
may have been quadratic, with Gothic or Renaissance decorative elements
like frescoes, stucco, or wooden ceilings, though later renovations may
have introduced Baroque or neoclassical features.
The upper
floors, added or modified over time, would have provided additional
living quarters or guest rooms. The palace’s chimneys, likely shaped as
upside-down cones or pyramids, were designed to trap embers, a practical
feature to prevent fires in Venice’s wooden-beamed structures.
Structural Considerations
Like all Venetian palaces, the Palazzo
Barzizza rests on a foundation of timber piles driven into the lagoon’s
muddy bed, topped with stone platforms. This engineering, unique to
Venice’s aquatic environment, has allowed the palace to endure for over
seven centuries despite the challenges of flooding and subsidence. The
canal-facing facade, rather than a street-facing one, reflects the Grand
Canal’s role as Venice’s primary thoroughfare, with water entrances
facilitating trade and transport.
Role in Venetian Society
The Palazzo Barzizza’s fondaco design
underscores Venice’s mercantile identity during the Middle Ages, when
the city was a global trade hub connecting Europe with the Byzantine
Empire and the Islamic world. The Contarini family’s ownership placed
the palace at the heart of Venice’s economic and social elite, with the
Rialto’s proximity enhancing its commercial importance. Even after the
Barzizza family’s acquisition, the palace remained a symbol of patrician
status, though its role shifted from trade to residential use as
Venice’s economy evolved.
Architectural Influence
The Palazzo
Barzizza exemplifies the evolution of Venetian Gothic architecture,
blending Byzantine and Moorish influences with the pointed arches and
tracery of the Gothic style. Its early arcade and loggia reflect the
casa-fondaco model, seen in other 13th-century palaces like the Ca’ da
Mosto and Ca’ Loredan. Later renovations introduced Renaissance and
Baroque elements, illustrating Venice’s architectural adaptability.
While not as celebrated as the Ca’ d’Oro or Doge’s Palace, the palace
contributes to the Grand Canal’s architectural tapestry, showcasing the
city’s eclectic heritage.
Modern Context
Today, the Palazzo
Barzizza is a private residence, limiting its public visibility compared
to palaces converted into museums or hotels, such as the Ca’ Rezzonico
or Ca’ Pesaro. Its location near the Rialto Bridge and other landmarks
like the Palazzo Papadopoli makes it a notable sight for those exploring
the Grand Canal by vaporetto or gondola. The palace’s survival as a
private home reflects Venice’s ongoing challenge of balancing historical
preservation with modern functionality, especially amid concerns about
tourism and depopulation.
Current Status
The Palazzo Barzizza remains a private residence,
with no public access for tours or exhibitions, unlike many Grand Canal
palaces repurposed for cultural or commercial use. Its ground floor,
historically used for storage, may now include apartments or commercial
spaces, though specific details are unavailable. The palace’s exterior
is best appreciated from the Grand Canal, particularly via vaporetto
Line 1, which offers views of its eclectic facade.
Preservation
Efforts
Centuries of renovations have preserved the palace’s
structural integrity, though they have also altered its original Gothic
character. The 16th-century portal, 17th-century porch, and 18th-century
balconies indicate ongoing maintenance by successive owners. Modern
preservation efforts, overseen by Venice’s Superintendence of the
Environmental and Architectural Heritage, likely focus on protecting the
facade from lagoon-related damage, such as salt erosion and flooding.
The palace’s private status suggests that restoration costs are borne by
its owners, a common challenge for Venice’s historic buildings.
Cultural Events
Unlike palaces like the Palazzo Falier Canossa, which
host Biennale exhibitions, the Palazzo Barzizza is not documented as a
venue for public events. Its cultural significance lies in its
architectural history and its contribution to the Grand Canal’s visual
narrative, best experienced through guided tours or photographic
explorations of Venice’s palaces.
Location: San Polo, on the Grand Canal, adjacent to Palazzo
Giustinian Businello, near the Rialto Bridge. Coordinates: 45°26′13″N,
12°19′58″E.
Access: As a private residence, the palace is not open to
the public. It can be viewed from the Grand Canal via vaporetto (Line 1,
San Silvestro or Rialto stops), gondola, or private water taxi. Guided
canal tours often highlight its facade.
Nearby Attractions: Rialto
Bridge (4-minute walk), Grand Canal, Palazzo Papadopoli, Church of San
Silvestro (2-minute walk), and Palazzo Corner Spinelli. The bustling
Rialto market is also nearby, enhancing the area’s vibrancy.
Significance for Visitors: The palace’s eclectic facade and historical
layers make it a point of interest for architecture enthusiasts and
those studying Venetian Gothic styles. Its proximity to the Rialto makes
it easily accessible during canal explorations.