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: Origins and Prominence
The Giustinian
family was one of Venice's oldest and most illustrious patrician houses,
part of the "evangelical families" or "Case vecchie" (old houses) that
formed the core of the Venetian nobility. Family lore traces their roots
to the Byzantine Empire, suggesting they descended from Emperor
Justinian I or his relatives, migrating from Constantinople to Istria
and then Venice amid political upheavals in the 7th–11th centuries.
Medieval chroniclers claimed a connection to Justin II (Justinian's
nephew), but these assertions served to bolster prestige in the Republic
of Venice.
The family produced influential figures, including two
doges: Giustiniano Participazio (r. 819–828) and Marcantonio Giustinian
(r. 1684–1688). A pivotal event occurred in 1171 during Venice's war
with the Byzantine Emperor Manuel I Komnenos, when nearly all male
Giustinians perished in battle or at sea, leaving only Nicolò
Giustinian, a monk at San Nicolò del Lido. Pope Alexander III granted
him a dispensation to marry Anna Michieli (daughter of Doge Vitale II
Michiel) to preserve the lineage; they had nine children, six of whom
were sons, ensuring the family's continuation.
Among the most
renowned members was Saint Lorenzo Giustinian (1381–1455), a mystic,
ascetical writer, and the first Patriarch of Venice (1451–1456),
canonized in 1690. The family also had branches in Genoa, where they
controlled the island of Chios from the 14th to 16th centuries through
the Maona di Chio, a joint-stock company that monopolized the mastic
trade and exemplified early capitalist structures. The Venetian line
eventually went extinct, but their legacy endures through properties
like Ca' Giustinian.
Construction and Architectural Features
Ca' Giustinian was constructed around 1471 in the late Venetian Gothic
style, making it one of the last major Gothic palazzi built in Venice
before the Renaissance influence took hold. It resulted from the
unification of two pre-existing structures: the larger eastern section
(originally Giustinian) and the smaller western one (Badoer-Tiepolo).
Commissioned by the Giustinian family in the second half of the 15th
century, the palace overlooks the Grand Canal and the San Marco Basin,
with neighbors including the Bauer Hotel to the left and the Hotel
Monaco to the right.
Architecturally, it exemplifies late Gothic
Venetian design with pointed arches, intricate tracery, and a facade of
brick and Istrian stone. The building features multiple floors with
large windows allowing ample light, a characteristic element of Venetian
palazzi to illuminate interiors facing the water. In the 17th century,
it underwent partial modernization, including interior updates to align
with emerging Baroque tastes, though the Gothic exterior was largely
preserved.
Ownership Changes and Notable Events
Initially
owned by the Giustinian family, the palace remained in their possession
for centuries, reflecting their status as maritime traders and
patricians. By the early 19th century, as Venice's economy shifted and
noble families faced financial pressures, it was converted into the
Hotel Europa (also called Hotel d'Europa or Albergo d'Europa) around
1820. This transformation marked a shift from private residence to
public accommodation, capitalizing on Venice's growing tourism.
During its hotel era, Ca' Giustinian hosted an array of prominent
guests, underscoring its cultural significance. French writer
François-René de Chateaubriand stayed there, as did Swiss author
Rodolphe Töpffer, French poet Théophile Gautier, English novelist George
Eliot, and composer Richard Wagner. Wagner, in particular, found
inspiration in Venice, composing parts of his operas amid the city's
ambiance.
In the 20th century, ownership passed to the Venice
Biennale organization, which acquired it as its headquarters. This
change aligned with Venice's evolution into a global cultural hub.
Modern Use and Restorations
Today, Ca' Giustinian serves as the
administrative headquarters of La Biennale di Venezia, hosting offices
for the organization's art, architecture, cinema, dance, music, and
theater sectors since 2010. Major restorations occurred between 2008 and
2009, focusing on conservative techniques to preserve its historical
fabric while adapting it for modern use. A key project was the
restoration of the Sala delle Colonne (Hall of Columns), a ground-floor
space with remarkable historical interest, completed as part of the
broader palace refurbishment. These efforts restored original features
like frescoes, stucco work, and structural elements, ensuring the
building's longevity.
The palace now overlooks the bustling Grand
Canal, symbolizing Venice's blend of Gothic heritage and contemporary
cultural vitality. Guided tours are occasionally available, allowing
visitors to appreciate its interiors and views of the San Marco Basin.
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.