The Palazzo Contarini Fasan, also known as the House of Desdemona, is a small but exquisite Gothic palace located in the San Marco sestiere of Venice, Italy, overlooking the Grand Canal. Built around 1475, this 15th-century palazzo is one of the smallest palaces on the canal, yet its delicate Venetian Gothic facade and legendary association with William Shakespeare’s tragic heroine Desdemona from Othello have made it a cultural and architectural gem. Positioned between the Palazzo Ferro Fini and Palazzo Venier Contarini, across from the iconic Santa Maria della Salute, the palazzo’s narrow, ornate facade and literary mystique attract visitors, scholars, and romantics alike.
The Palazzo Contarini Fasan’s history is intertwined with the
powerful Contarini family and a captivating, though likely apocryphal,
connection to Shakespeare’s Othello:
Origins (circa 1470–1480):
The palazzo was constructed between 1470 and 1480 for a branch of the
Contarini family, one of Venice’s most prominent noble families, known
for producing eight doges and numerous influential figures. The name
“Fasan” (Italian for pheasant) likely derives from a family member’s
passion for pheasant hunting, a detail that distinguishes this branch of
the Contarini clan. The site previously housed a watchtower, from which
a chain could be stretched across the Grand Canal to block enemy ships,
explaining the palazzo’s compact footprint.
Contarini Family
Ownership: The palazzo was a private residence for the Contarini family,
reflecting their wealth and status. Its small size suggests it was used
by a minor branch or as a secondary residence, rather than a primary
family seat like the larger Palazzo Contarini del Bovolo. The Contarini
coat of arms, prominently displayed on the facade, underscores their
ownership and pride.
Legend of Desdemona and Othello: The palazzo’s
nickname, “House of Desdemona,” stems from a Venetian legend linking it
to Shakespeare’s Othello (1603–1604). According to tradition, the
palazzo was the home of Desdemona, the tragic heroine murdered by her
jealous husband, Othello. Several historical figures are cited as
possible inspirations:
Nicola Contarini (16th Century): A Venetian
leader in wars against the Turks, nicknamed “the Moor” due to his dark
complexion, is said to have lived in the palazzo. His wife, Palma
Querini, reportedly fled to her family’s home to escape his intense
jealousy, mirroring Desdemona’s story. In 1535, Palma married Nicola,
and during his absence fighting the Turks (1539), she bore a son,
Giovanni, leading to suspicions of infidelity. Nicola’s attempt to
strangle her prompted her departure, fueling the legend.
Cristoforo
Moro (1390–1471): Another candidate is Cristoforo Moro, a Venetian
admiral and later Doge (1462–1471), whose life loosely aligns with
Othello’s. In 1515, Moro married a daughter of Donato da Lezze,
nicknamed “White Devil” (a possible source for “Desdemona,” meaning
“unfortunate”). In 1508, he lost his wife under mysterious circumstances
while traveling to Crete, adding to the tragic narrative. Some suggest
Shakespeare drew inspiration from Moro via Giraldi Cinthio’s 1565
novella Un Capitano Moro, which influenced Othello.
Archival Claims:
In 1902, historian Cesare Augusto Levi claimed to have found archival
evidence in the Palazzo Grimani suggesting that “Othello and Desdemona”
were historical figures, with Desdemona as Palma Querini and Othello as
Nicola Contarini. However, no definitive documents confirm the palazzo
as their residence, and the legend remains unverified.
Literary and
Cultural Impact: Despite the lack of archival proof, the Desdemona
legend has endured, popularized by gondoliers who point out the palazzo
to tourists, often reciting Rossini’s 1816 Otello barcarola or Dante’s
Inferno verses (“Nessun maggior dolore…”), evoking Desdemona’s tragic
love. The palazzo’s balconies, described as “arabescated and filigreed,”
inspire romantic imagery of a woman gazing pensively at the canal, as
noted by Gabriele d’Annunzio in his novel Il Fuoco.
Later Ownership
and Restoration: In the 20th century, the palazzo was owned by
entrepreneur Sergio Bortoli, who donated it to the Fondo Ambiente
Italiano (FAI), Italy’s National Trust equivalent. FAI has undertaken
restoration efforts, with plans to open the interior to the public,
though as of 2025, visits are limited to the exterior or special FAI
events, such as Giornate FAI (FAI Days).
The Palazzo Contarini Fasan is a quintessential example of Venetian
Gothic architecture, characterized by its delicate, lace-like tracery
and vertical emphasis. Its narrow facade, constrained by the former
watchtower site, is among the most ornate on the Grand Canal, rivaling
the Ca’ d’Oro in decorative richness. Key architectural features
include:
Grand Canal Facade: The facade, developed vertically
across three floors, is narrow but richly decorated, with no direct
water access, a rarity for canal-facing palazzi. The white Istrian stone
facade is interrupted by vertical lines and spiraling columns at the
corners, adding elegance. The facade terminates with a dentilled
cornice, beneath which traces of 15th-century frescoes, once vibrant,
are faintly visible, a common feature of Venetian Gothic palazzi before
weathering took its toll.
Ground Floor: The ground floor features
three small rectangular windows, modest and functional, with no water
portal due to the palazzo’s elevated position above the canal. This
design reflects its defensive origins as a watchtower site, prioritizing
security over direct water access.
First Noble Floor (Primo Piano
Nobile): The first floor is the focal point, featuring a trifora
(three-light window) with a perforated, lace-like balcony supported by
slender white stone columns. The trifora’s pointed arches and intricate
tracery are hallmarks of Venetian Gothic, with floral motifs (fioroni)
adorning the upper openings. This balcony, described as “embroidered”
and “filigreed,” is among the most elaborate in Venice, comparable to
the Ca’ d’Oro’s. It is often imagined as the spot where Desdemona stood,
gazing at the canal.
Second Noble Floor (Secondo Piano Nobile): The
second floor has two monofore (single-light windows) with matching
perforated balconies, echoing the trifora’s design. Between them, a
small square window sits above a large bas-relief of the Contarini
family coat of arms, a prominent symbol of lineage. The monofore feature
similar floral motifs and pointed arches, maintaining the Gothic
aesthetic.
Byzantine and Moorish Influences: The facade’s decorative
elements, such as the inflected arches and crenelated tracery, reflect
Venice’s trade connections with the Byzantine and Moorish worlds. The
spiraling corner columns and perforated balconies draw on Eastern
motifs, blending with Gothic pointed arches to create a distinctly
Venetian style.
Interior (Limited Access): While the interior is
rarely accessible, reviews describe it as an “authentic Venetian
apartment” with high ceilings, Italian paintings, and Murano glassware,
suggesting a well-preserved noble residence. The layout likely includes
a central portego (hallway) on the noble floors, flanked by smaller
rooms, with wooden beamed ceilings and terrazzo or marble flooring,
typical of Venetian palazzi.
Structural Details: The palazzo’s
foundation, like all Venetian buildings, rests on wooden piles driven
into the lagoon’s clay. The lightweight brick structure, clad in Istrian
stone, minimizes weight while maximizing decorative impact. The absence
of a water gate and the elevated ground floor suggest a defensive
design, possibly retaining elements of the earlier watchtower.
The Palazzo Contarini Fasan’s cultural importance lies in its
architectural beauty and its evocative connection to Shakespeare’s
Othello, despite the legend’s uncertain origins:
Venetian Gothic
Masterpiece: The palazzo is a prime example of late Venetian Gothic
architecture, with its intricate balconies and trifora showcasing the
style’s emphasis on light, asymmetry, and Eastern influences. Its
decorative richness, as noted by scholars like Arslan and Concina,
surpasses typical Gothic standards, making it a standout on the Grand
Canal.
Shakespearean Legend: The Desdemona legend, though likely a
romantic fabrication, has cemented the palazzo’s place in literary and
cultural history. Gondoliers and guides perpetuate the story, linking
the palazzo to Othello’s themes of love, jealousy, and tragedy. The
narrative draws on historical figures like Nicola Contarini and
Cristoforo Moro, whose lives loosely parallel the play, but no archival
evidence confirms the palazzo as Desdemona’s home. The legend’s
persistence reflects Venice’s ability to blend history and myth,
captivating visitors.
Artistic Representations: The palazzo’s
picturesque facade has inspired artists, notably Friedrich Nerly
(1807–1878), whose 1855 painting The Palazzo Contarini in Venice (The
House of Desdemona) depicts a woman (Desdemona) on the balcony with a
cockatoo, blending topography with literary romance. Nerly’s works,
housed in collections like the Angermuseum in Erfurt, highlight the
palazzo’s visual appeal.
Literary and Musical Echoes: The palazzo’s
balconies are evoked in Gabriele d’Annunzio’s Il Fuoco, which imagines a
woman gazing at the canal, and in Gioachino Rossini’s 1816 Otello, where
a gondolier’s barcarola under Desdemona’s window cites Dante’s Inferno
to underscore her tragic fate. These cultural references amplify the
palazzo’s romantic allure.
Modern Cultural Role: As a private
residence and occasional event space, the palazzo remains a symbol of
Venice’s aristocratic past. Its donation to FAI and ongoing restoration
efforts signal a future as a cultural site, potentially allowing public
access to its interiors, which could further elevate its significance.