The Palazzo Giustinian Persico, located in the San Polo sestiere of Venice, Italy, is an early Renaissance-style palace situated at the corner of the Rio di San Tomà and the Grand Canal, near Palazzo Tiepolo Passi and opposite the Palazzi Mocenigo. Commissioned in the 13th century by the aristocratic Giustinian family, one of Venice’s most ancient and influential noble families, the palazzo later passed to the Persico family, originally from Bergamo, who joined the Venetian patriciate in 1685. Built in the early 16th century, its facade, inspired by the work of Mauro Codussi, marks it as one of the first Venetian buildings to embrace Renaissance architectural principles. Today, parts of the palazzo are used as luxury apartments, offering a blend of historical grandeur and modern amenities.
The Palazzo Giustinian Persico traces its origins to the 13th
century, when the Giustinian family, a prominent Venetian dynasty that
produced several Doges and saints (including St. Lawrence Giustiniani,
the first Patriarch of Venice), commissioned a residence on this prime
Grand Canal site. The Giustinian family’s wealth stemmed from trade,
maritime activities, and political influence, making their palazzi
symbols of prestige. The current structure, however, was constructed in
the first decades of the 16th century, reflecting the transition from
Gothic to Renaissance architectural styles in Venice.
The palazzo
passed to the Persico family, likely through inheritance or marriage,
not long after its construction. The Persico family, originally from
Bergamo, secured their place in the Venetian patriciate on March 18,
1685, by paying the customary 100,000 ducats to the Serenissima, a
practice allowing wealthy families to join the noble class. A key moment
in the palazzo’s history occurred in 1774, when Nicolò Giustinian’s
death led to the property being inherited by the daughter of Piero
Persico, solidifying the Persico family’s association with the building.
The palazzo’s location in San Polo, a sestiere central to Venice’s
commercial and social life, underscores its historical role. San Polo,
home to the Rialto Bridge and bustling markets, was a hub of trade and
interaction, and the palazzo’s Grand Canal frontage placed it at the
heart of this vibrant district. Over time, the building’s ownership and
use evolved, reflecting the economic and political shifts following the
fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797. Today, it serves as a private
residence, with parts converted into luxury apartments, such as those
offered by Views on Venice Collection, catering to art lovers and
affluent visitors.
The Palazzo Giustinian Persico is a four-story building (including a
mezzanine) distinguished by its early Renaissance facade, which breaks
from the Gothic gotico fiorito style prevalent in 15th-century Venice.
Inspired by the work of Mauro Codussi, a pioneering Renaissance
architect in Venice, the facade emphasizes clean lines, symmetry, and
classical proportions, marking a shift toward mainland Italian
architectural influences. Key architectural features include:
Facade: The facade, facing the Grand Canal, is characterized by its
vibrant red plaster, a striking choice that enhances its visibility and
contrasts with the white Istrian stone window frames. The ground floor
features a single central water portal (porta d’acqua), essential for
canal access, flanked by rectangular windows. The piano nobile (first
floor) is dominated by a quadrifora (four-light window) with round
arches, a Renaissance innovation, supported by slender columns and
flanked by pairs of single-lancet windows. The second floor mirrors this
layout with a smaller quadrifora and single windows, creating a sense of
vertical hierarchy. The mezzanine level, below the piano nobile, has
simpler rectangular openings, likely for storage or service spaces. The
facade’s broad, clear surfaces and minimal ornamentation reflect
Renaissance ideals of elegance and restraint, distinguishing it from the
intricate tracery of Gothic palazzi like Ca’ d’Oro.
Structural
Layout: The palazzo follows the typical Venetian palazzo plan, with a
ground floor (androne) designed for commercial activities, such as
storage and trade, accessible via the water portal. The piano nobile
housed the family’s grand salons, illuminated by the quadrifora for
receptions and social events, with high ceilings and spacious interiors.
The second floor contained additional living quarters, while the
mezzanine and upper levels served secondary functions, such as servant
rooms or offices. A rear courtyard, accessible via a landside entrance,
provides light and ventilation, a common feature in Venice’s dense urban
fabric. The palazzo’s corner position at the Rio di San Tomà enhances
its prominence, with the canal junction offering dual access points for
water taxis.
Materials and Construction: The building is constructed
with standard Venetian materials: brick for the walls, Istrian stone for
the portal and window frames, and timber beams for floors and ceilings.
Lightweight larch or fir from the Dolomites was used for beams to resist
humidity and provide flexibility against Venice’s shifting foundations.
The red plaster facade, possibly restored in modern times, protects the
brickwork from canal moisture while adding aesthetic vibrancy. The
quadrifora’s stonework, with its refined cornices and columns, reflects
the high craftsmanship associated with Codussi’s influence, blending
Venetian maritime aesthetics with classical motifs.
Interior: While
public access is limited, descriptions of the luxury apartments within
the palazzo, such as those offered by Views on Venice Collection,
provide insights into the secondo piano nobile (second noble floor). The
interiors blend historical grandeur with contemporary luxury, featuring
a central salone with a high beamed ceiling, Venetian terrazzo flooring,
and Lombardo-style windows opening onto a balcony with panoramic Grand
Canal views. A dual-aspect dining room boasts a coffered ceiling with a
large fresco and seating for eight, while a second sitting room offers
Art Deco furnishings and canal views. The well-equipped kitchen includes
stainless steel fittings, and three en-suite bedrooms provide modern
comforts like air conditioning. These spaces, adorned with bold art
pieces and “Gatsby-esque” Art Deco decor, preserve the palazzo’s
historical fabric while catering to modern tastes. The building is
accessible via a private water gate or a landside rear entrance, with a
lift and stairs to the upper floors.
The Palazzo Giustinian Persico holds significant cultural and
historical value as a reflection of Venice’s architectural evolution,
noble family dynamics, and contemporary adaptation:
Giustinian
Family Legacy: The Giustinian family’s prominence, with their
contributions to Venetian politics, religion, and culture, is embodied
in the palazzo’s early history. Their commission of a 13th-century
residence, later rebuilt in the 16th century, underscores their enduring
influence. The palazzo’s transfer to the Persico family highlights the
fluidity of Venetian property ownership, driven by inheritance and
strategic alliances, a common practice among the patriciate.
Renaissance Architecture: As one of the first Venetian buildings
constructed in the Renaissance style, the palazzo marks a pivotal moment
in the city’s architectural history. Its facade, inspired by Mauro
Codussi’s work (though not directly attributed to him), introduces
classical proportions and simplicity, moving away from the ornate Gothic
style. The red plaster and quadrifora windows create a distinctive
aesthetic, contributing to the Grand Canal’s diverse architectural
narrative. The palazzo’s early adoption of Renaissance principles aligns
with Venice’s growing engagement with mainland Italian culture in the
16th century.
San Polo Context: Located in San Polo, the palazzo is
part of a sestiere central to Venice’s commercial and social life, with
the Rialto Bridge and markets nearby. Its Grand Canal frontage and
corner position at the Rio di San Tomà place it within Venice’s most
prestigious architectural showcase, where noble families displayed their
wealth. The palazzo’s proximity to cultural landmarks like the Santa
Maria Gloriosa dei Frari (4-minute walk), the Scuola Grande di San
Rocco, and the House of Carlo Goldoni (1-minute walk) enhances its
significance within San Polo’s vibrant urban fabric.
Modern
Adaptation: The palazzo’s conversion into luxury apartments, as
described by Views on Venice Collection, reflects Venice’s ongoing
effort to repurpose historic buildings for contemporary use. The secondo
piano nobile’s restoration, featured in Inside Venice: A Private View of
the City’s Most Beautiful Interiors (2016), showcases a blend of
historical elements (beamed ceilings, terrazzo floors) and modern luxury
(Art Deco furnishings, stainless steel kitchens). This adaptation caters
to art lovers and affluent visitors, contributing to Venice’s
tourism-driven economy while preserving the palazzo’s heritage.
The Palazzo Giustinian Persico is a private building, with parts
converted into luxury apartments managed by organizations like Views on
Venice Collection. The secondo piano nobile, marketed as an “art lover’s
dream,” accommodates up to six guests in three en-suite bedrooms,
offering Grand Canal views from a balcony stretching from Ca’ Foscari to
San Bortolomeo’s bell tower. The apartments feature contemporary
amenities (air conditioning, lift access, stainless steel kitchen)
alongside historical elements (beamed ceilings, terrazzo floors,
frescoed dining room), and include services like private water taxi
transfers and a welcome hamper of Venetian specialties. The palazzo’s
landside rear entrance and private water gate ensure stylish access,
catering to affluent visitors.
The facade, with its vibrant red
plaster and Renaissance quadrifora, is well-preserved, as seen in
photographs on Wikimedia Commons, and protected by Venetian preservation
regulations enforced by the Superintendency of Venice. The palazzo is
not open to the public as a tourist attraction, limiting access to
residents or apartment guests, but its exterior is a highlight for those
exploring the Grand Canal by vaporetto or gondola. Its location in San
Polo, near Campo San Polo, Campo Santa Margherita, and cultural sites
like the Frari and Scuola Grande di San Rocco, makes it an ideal base
for visitors, with nearby supermarkets (CRAI, Conad, Coop) and dining
options enhancing its practicality.