The Justinian or Giustinian Palace, commonly known as Ca' Giustinian
(or Palazzo Giustinian in Italian), is a historic palazzo located on the
Grand Canal in the San Marco sestiere of Venice, Italy. Positioned on
the southern side of the canal, it overlooks the Bacino di San Marco
(St. Mark's Basin) and is flanked by the Bauer Hotel to its left
(separated by Calle Tredici Martiri) and the Hotel Monaco and Grand
Canal to its right (separated by Calle Ridotto). Its precise coordinates
are 45°25′56″N 12°20′12″E. This palace is one of several in Venice
associated with the prominent Giustinian family, a noble Venetian
lineage, but Ca' Giustinian stands out as one of the most iconic
examples of late Venetian Gothic architecture. Note that there are other
palaces bearing similar names, such as Palazzo Giustinian Lolin (a
Baroque structure from the 17th century) and Palazzo Giustinian Pesaro
(from the late 14th century), but the query likely refers to Ca'
Giustinian given its prominence and frequent English transliteration as
"Justinian Palace."
Built around 1471, Ca' Giustinian represents
a transitional phase in Venetian architecture, marking one of the last
major Gothic palazzi erected before Renaissance influences fully took
hold in the city. It was constructed by merging two pre-existing
structures: the larger eastern section originally belonging to the
Giustinian family and the smaller western section known as
Badoer-Tiepolo. This dual origin gives the palace its distinctive "twin"
appearance, with two nearly symmetrical but originally separate sectors
that were later unified through a central façade section. The palace's
design echoes that of nearby Ca' Foscari, with which it shares stylistic
similarities, including delicate Venetian Gothic details and the use of
Istrian stone for accents.
The Giustinian family, one of Venice's oldest noble houses (tracing
roots back to the 9th century and related to the Byzantine Emperor
Justinian I, hence the name variation), commissioned the palace in the
mid-15th century. It initially served as a family residence for two
branches of the Giustinians, reflecting the family's wealth and
influence in Venetian society—they produced several doges, saints, and
diplomats. The palace's construction in 1471 occurred during a period of
economic prosperity for Venice, fueled by trade, which allowed for such
grand domestic architecture.
In the 17th century, the palace
underwent partial modernization to adapt to changing tastes, though it
retained its Gothic core. By around 1820, it was converted into the
Hotel Europa (also called Albergo d'Europa or Hotel d'Europa), becoming
a fashionable stop for European elites during the Grand Tour era. This
period marked its heyday as a cultural hub, hosting luminaries such as
French writer François-René de Chateaubriand, Swiss author Rodolphe
Töpffer, French poet Théophile Gautier, English novelist George Eliot,
and composer Richard Wagner. It was also the final residence of Princess
Louise Marie Thérèse of France. The hotel's legacy persists in name
through the modern Westin Europa & Regina, though that hotel occupies a
different site.
Ownership transitioned in the 20th century when the
City of Venice acquired it. Between 2008 and 2009, it underwent
significant renovations to restore its historical features while
integrating modern functionalities. These efforts preserved its
architectural integrity and adapted it for contemporary use, including
structural reinforcements, artistic restorations, and the installation
of advanced audio-visual systems.
Ca' Giustinian exemplifies late Venetian Gothic style, characterized
by its elegant, ornate yet restrained façade that blends Byzantine,
Islamic, and Gothic elements typical of Venice's maritime heritage. The
façade, facing the Grand Canal, is divided into three levels: a ground
floor with water portals for boat access, a piano nobile (main floor)
with large arched windows for illumination and display, and an upper
floor with smaller openings. The structure's "twin" nature is evident in
its asymmetrical yet harmonized design, with the eastern (Giustinian)
section being slightly larger. Key features include pointed arches,
quatrefoil tracery, and Istrian stone detailing that provide texture and
light play. The fifteenth-century style, with its delicate decorative
shapes, makes it visually akin to Ca' Foscari, emphasizing verticality
and lightness to counter Venice's humid, subsiding foundations.
Internally, the palace follows the traditional Venetian layout with a
central portego (hall) running from the canal entrance to the rear,
flanked by rooms. Post-2009 renovations introduced neutral colors,
essential lines, and contemporary decorative elements that dialogue with
the historical fabric. Notable interior spaces include:
Sala
delle Colonne: Added in the late 1930s as part of Venice's first
municipal casino, this eclectic room features faux-marble pilasters,
Murano glass mirrors, polychrome stucco ceilings with glass rosettes,
and 18th-century Venetian influences. It has been restored for events
and equipped with modern tech.
Portego (Ground Floor): Now an
exhibition space since 2009, it hosts historical-retrospective shows
from the Biennale's archives, with polished surfaces and integrated
lighting to highlight artifacts.
Laboratorio delle Arti: A
180-square-meter workshop area with raw walls, hand-polished concrete
floors inlaid with larch wood, birch workbenches, and a blackboard wall
for collaborative brainstorming.
Panoramic Terrace: Added in the
early 20th century, this upper-level space offers sweeping views of the
San Marco Basin. It features wooden slatted flooring, minimal
landscaping, and indirect lighting, ideal for events.
The overall
interior design emphasizes the interplay of art, light, and space, with
selected artworks enhancing the ambiance.
Since 2010, Ca' Giustinian has served as the headquarters for La Biennale di Venezia, the renowned international arts organization. It functions as a multifunctional center, hosting administrative offices, exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events. Key facilities include the Lions & Books bookshop (specializing in art and architecture, open Monday-Saturday 10am-7pm), the "L’ombra del leone" cafeteria (in the former Sala degli Specchi, open daily 9am-9pm for cultural gatherings), and a Kids Corner (ground floor, with creative activities and family amenities, open Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm). The palace also supports educational programs like Biennale College through its Laboratorio delle Arti.
Ca' Giustinian holds enduring significance as a testament to Venice's architectural evolution, bridging Gothic traditions with emerging Renaissance ideas. Its role in hosting cultural icons during the 19th century underscores Venice's allure as a romantic and intellectual destination. Today, as the Biennale's seat, it continues to foster global artistic dialogue, preserving Venetian heritage while adapting to modern needs. Its location on the Grand Canal makes it a visual landmark, often admired from vaporettos or gondolas, symbolizing the city's layered history of nobility, commerce, and culture.