The Palazzo Coccina Giunti Foscarini Giovannelli, often referred to as Palazzo Giovanelli, is a distinguished Renaissance palace situated in the Santa Croce sestiere of Venice, Italy. Overlooking the right bank of the Grand Canal between the Chiesa di San Stae and Ca’ Pesaro, near the confluence of the Rio della Rioda, this mid-16th-century structure is a testament to Venice’s architectural elegance and historical richness. Originally built for the Coccina family, it passed through the hands of the Giunti, Foscarini, and Giovanelli families, hosting illustrious figures such as Doge Marco Foscarini, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, and King Frederick Christian IV of Denmark. Today, it operates as the luxurious Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli, blending historical grandeur with modern hospitality.
The Palazzo Coccina Giunti Foscarini Giovannelli was constructed
around the mid-16th century for the Coccina family, a wealthy Venetian
mercantile clan. Its early history reflects Venice’s dynamic social and
economic landscape, where noble and merchant families commissioned grand
residences to showcase their status. The palace soon passed to Tommaso
Giunti, a Florentine printer and publisher who settled in Venice, a hub
for the printing industry. Giunti married his two daughters to brothers
Nicolò and Renier Foscarini, prominent members of the Foscarini family,
which traced its Venetian roots to 867 AD and boasted politicians,
warriors, and scholars. Upon Giunti’s death, the palace was bequeathed
to the Foscarini family, marking the beginning of its association with
this influential lineage.
The Foscarini family elevated the
palace’s prestige, using it to host notable guests. In 1709, Sebastiano
Foscarini, a Procurator of San Marco, threw a lavish ball for King
Frederick IV of Denmark and Norway, an event celebrated for its
opulence. In 1771, Leopold Mozart and his 15-year-old son, Wolfgang
Amadeus Mozart, stayed at the palace during a family visit to Venice,
adding to its cultural legacy. The palace also served as the residence
of Marco Foscarini, who became the penultimate Doge of Venice (r.
1762–1763), known for his scholarly contributions and diplomatic
finesse.
In 1755, the palace was leased to the Giovanelli family,
who later acquired it, giving the palace its current name. The Foscarini
family’s fortunes waned, and their renowned library was dispersed in the
19th century upon their extinction. A tragic episode in the palace’s
history involves Antonio Foscarini (1570–1622), a brilliant diplomat
accused of treason during a period of political tension with Spain.
Falsely charged with leaking state secrets, he was executed, only to be
posthumously exonerated, highlighting the era’s intense political
intrigue.
By the 20th century, the palace had fallen into
decline, but in 2008, entrepreneur Luciano Semenzato acquired it. After
a meticulous restoration overseen by the Superintendency of Fine Arts of
Venice, it reopened in 2010 as the Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli, managed by
Semenzato’s children, Angelica and Oliviero. The restoration preserved
the palace’s historical features while introducing modern amenities,
ensuring its continued relevance as a cultural and hospitality landmark.
The Palazzo Coccina Giunti Foscarini Giovannelli is a fine example of Venetian Renaissance architecture, characterized by symmetry, classical motifs, and a functional yet elegant design suited to the Grand Canal’s urban context. Its façade and interior reflect the mid-16th-century aesthetic, with later modifications adding to its layered character.
The palace’s façade on the Grand Canal is asymmetrical due to a later
addition on the left side, yet it remains visually cohesive. Key
features include:
A central water gate serving as the main
entrance, aligned with a serliana (tripartite window with a central
arch) on the piano nobile, flanked by single-light windows (monofore).
This arrangement creates a balanced focal point.
Curved windows with
prominent keystones on the piano nobile, supported by elongated
modillions (brackets), adding a classical touch.
Rectangular windows
on the upper floors, more restrained but harmonizing with the overall
design.
Polychrome marble accents, enhancing the façade’s elegance
and reflecting the wealth of its original owners.
The asymmetry,
caused by the leftward extension, is mitigated by the strategic
placement of openings around the central axis, a testament to the
architect’s skill in adapting to Venice’s irregular urban plots. The
palace’s west side faces the Campo San Stae, integrating it into the
neighborhood’s social fabric, while its proximity to the Rio della Rioda
adds a picturesque canal view.
The interior is a blend of 16th-century Renaissance and 18th-century
Baroque elements, preserved and enhanced during the 2010 restoration.
Notable features include:
Original ceilings with exposed wooden
beams, particularly in the suites, showcasing 16th-century
craftsmanship.
A grand staircase leading to the piano nobile, adorned
with stucco and marble, typical of Venetian palazzi.
A splendid
courtyard, historically decorated with frescoes by Gian Battista
Zelotti, though these have faded or been lost over time.
Sumptuous
salons with polychrome marble, stucco work, and period furnishings,
creating an atmosphere of aristocratic opulence.
An 18th-century
secret passage in the former apartment of Doge Marco Foscarini, now part
of the Doge Foscarini Suite, adding an element of historical intrigue.
The restoration under the Superintendency of Fine Arts ensured that
original features, such as Zelotti’s frescoed rosettes with mythological
figures, were meticulously preserved. Modern additions, like Murano
glass chandeliers and luxury fittings, complement the historical
ambiance, making the palace a seamless blend of past and present.
The Palazzo Coccina Giunti Foscarini Giovannelli is renowned for its
decorative arts, particularly its frescoes and architectural
embellishments, which reflect Venice’s artistic vibrancy.
1. Gian
Battista Zelotti’s Frescoes
The palace’s courtyard and select
interiors were historically adorned with frescoes by Gian Battista
Zelotti, a 16th-century Veronese painter known for his work with
Palladio and Veronese. A 1760 chronicle describes a fresco of “a
beautiful figure seated at a window, playing the lute,” though this has
not survived. Surviving elements include:
Wall rosettes with
mythological figures in the piano nobile, preserved in the Doge
Foscarini and Mozart Suites, showcasing Zelotti’s delicate style and
classical themes.
Faded courtyard frescoes, once a hallmark of the
palace’s grandeur, now lost to time and environmental exposure.
These
artworks underscore the palace’s role as a cultural hub during the
Renaissance, hosting art that rivaled Venice’s finest palazzi.
2.
Polychrome Marble and Stucco
The interior’s polychrome marble
paneling and ornate stucco work are artistic treasures, reflecting the
wealth of the Coccina and Foscarini families. The piano nobile salons
feature:
Marble intarsia in vibrant hues, creating intricate
patterns on walls and floors.
Baroque stucco frames around doorways
and ceilings, adding three-dimensional elegance.
These elements,
restored in 2010, enhance the palace’s theatrical atmosphere, evoking
the lavish entertainments hosted for figures like King Frederick IV.
3. Period Decorations
The Doge Foscarini Suite and Mozart Suite,
the palace’s most luxurious accommodations, retain 16th-century
decorations, including:
Exposed beam ceilings with original paint
traces.
Period fireplaces and mirrors, adding to the historical
ambiance.
Murano glass chandeliers, a modern nod to Venetian
craftsmanship, illuminating the restored frescoes.
The secret passage
in the Doge Foscarini Suite, an 18th-century addition, is both a
functional and artistic feature, offering a glimpse into the private
life of a Venetian Doge.
The Palazzo Coccina Giunti Foscarini Giovannelli is a microcosm of
Venice’s social, political, and cultural history. Its succession of
owners—Coccina, Giunti, Foscarini, and Giovanelli—mirrors the city’s
mercantile and aristocratic evolution, where wealth and influence
shifted among families through marriage, inheritance, and commerce. The
palace’s role as a venue for high-profile events, such as the 1709 ball
for King Frederick IV, underscores its status as a stage for Venetian
diplomacy and spectacle.
The presence of Marco Foscarini, a Doge
and scholar, and the Mozart family’s stay in 1771 highlight the palace’s
intellectual and artistic legacy. The tragic fate of Antonio Foscarini,
executed amid political paranoia, reflects the darker side of Venetian
governance, where suspicion and espionage shaped the Republic’s
policies. The palace’s library, once a repository of Foscarini
scholarship, was a cultural treasure until its dispersal, a loss felt by
Venetian historians.
Today, as the Hotel Palazzo Giovanelli, the
palace continues to attract visitors seeking a blend of history and
luxury. Its restoration by Luciano Semenzato and his family demonstrates
Venice’s commitment to preserving its architectural heritage while
adapting it for modern use. The hotel’s emphasis on personalized
hospitality, with suites named after Foscarini and Mozart, invites
guests to engage with the palace’s storied past. Its location in the
tranquil yet central Santa Croce sestiere, near cultural landmarks like
San Stae (with Tiepolo’s paintings) and Ca’ Pesaro (home to the Modern
Art Museum), makes it an ideal base for exploring Venice’s authentic
side.
Clarification on Palazzo Donà Giovannelli: A separate
palace, the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli, is often confused with Palazzo
Coccina Giunti Foscarini Giovannelli due to the shared “Giovanelli”
name. Located in Cannaregio, the Palazzo Donà Giovannelli is a
15th-century neo-Gothic structure currently being transformed into the
Orient Express Hotel under the ACCOR group, with restoration managed by
Currie & Brown. It was originally owned by the Donà family, gifted to
Francesco Maria della Rovere, Duke of Urbino, in 1538, and later passed
to the Giovannelli family. Its distinct history and ongoing renovation
set it apart from the Santa Croce palace discussed here.
Location: Calle Pesaro, 2070, Santa Croce, Venice, overlooking the
Grand Canal near San Stae. Accessible via the San Stae vaporetto stop
(Lines 1, 2, N).
Access: The palace is now the Hotel Palazzo
Giovanelli, open to hotel guests, restaurant patrons, and visitors to
public areas like the bar or lobby. Non-guests can view the façade from
the Grand Canal or explore the Campo San Stae.
Opening Hours: Hotel
facilities (bar, restaurant) are open daily; check
www.hotelpalazzogiovanelli.com for specific hours and reservations.
Public access to historical interiors is limited to guided tours or
special events.
Admission: No entry fee for public areas like the bar
or lobby. Hotel room rates range from €200–€1000+ per night, depending
on season and suite (e.g., Doge Foscarini Suite at ~€700–€1000).
Tips
for Visitors:
Book a stay in the Doge Foscarini or Mozart Suite for
access to the palace’s most historic rooms, including the secret
passage.
Take a vaporetto or gondola ride along the Grand Canal to
admire the façade’s Renaissance details.
Visit the nearby Chiesa di
San Stae for Tiepolo’s paintings or Ca’ Pesaro for modern art.
Enjoy
a drink at the hotel’s bar to experience the palace’s ambiance without
booking a room.
Explore the Rialto Bridge (600 meters away) or the
Jewish Ghetto for a broader Santa Croce itinerary.