Palazzo Priuli Scarpon, located in the sestiere of Cannaregio in Venice, Italy, is a historic palace that embodies the rich architectural and cultural heritage of the Venetian Republic. Situated along the Calle Larga del Dose Priuli, near the Rio di San Felice, this palazzo is a testament to the wealth and influence of the Priuli family, one of Venice’s prominent noble families, and reflects the evolution of Venetian architecture across centuries.
The Priuli Family: Origins and Prominence in Venice
The Palazzo
Priuli Scarpon is intrinsically linked to the history of the Priuli
family, one of Venice's noble patrician clans. The Priuli traced their
roots to Hungarian nobility, with family lore suggesting that an
ancestor arrived in Venice as an ambassador or negotiator with the
Republic around the 11th century. Chronicles record that the family
was admitted to the Maggior Consiglio (Great Council) around 1100,
reflecting their early integration into Venetian governance. However,
they were excluded in the Serrata of 1297, which restricted council
membership to established noble families, only to be readmitted in
1310 due to their merits in suppressing the conspiracy of Bajamonte
Tiepolo.
The Priuli family achieved significant prominence in the
Venetian Republic, producing three doges (including Antonio Priuli,
directly associated with the palace), four cardinals, numerous
prelates, and various military and diplomatic figures. Notable members
included Daniele Priuli, who pacified regions like Trieste and
Giustinopoli, assaulted Rhodes, and supported the Republic during the
1469 War of Negroponte; Francesco Priuli, who defeated an Ottoman
fleet in 1487 while defending Cyprus and later received the kingdom's
surrender from Caterina Cornaro; and Antonio Priuli (not the doge),
who served as a naval governor in 1656, participating in battles
against the Turks at Scio and contributing to the defense of Candia
(Crete). One branch of the family inherited the County of Sanguinetto
in Verona from the Venier family, further enhancing their territorial
holdings. The family's wealth and influence allowed them to acquire
and develop multiple properties across Venice, with the Palazzo Priuli
Scarpon being one of several palaces bearing their name in sestieri
like Cannaregio, San Polo, and others.
Acquisition and Early
History of the Site (14th–16th Centuries)
The site of Palazzo
Priuli Scarpon in the sestiere of Cannaregio has roots dating back to
the 14th century, when a pre-existing structure stood there. The
Priuli family's connection to the property began in 1360 through a
strategic marriage: Giacomo Priuli wed Maria Foscari, bringing several
nearby houses into the family's possession as part of her dowry. These
properties were located along the Rio di San Felice (also known as Rio
della Guerra or Rio Priuli), near the church of San Felice and the old
Ponte San Felice.
During the 16th century, the Priuli undertook
initial rebuilding efforts on the site, consolidating the acquired
houses into a more unified palace structure. Contemporary accounts,
such as those by the Venetian historian Alvise Martinioni in his 1663
work, praised the palace for its design and façades overlooking the
rio. One of the façades reportedly bore the Priuli family crest until
relatively recently, serving as a visible marker of their ownership.
The palace's address during this period was noted as No. 3730 on Calle
Larga Doge Priuli (or Calle Larga del Dose Priuli), extending from the
Rio di San Sofia to the bridge opposite the church.
Major
Rebuilding Under Doge Antonio Priuli (17th Century)
The palace's
most significant transformation occurred after 1618, when it was
completely rebuilt under the patronage of Antonio Priuli (1548–1623),
who served as Doge of Venice from 1618 to 1623. This reconstruction
elevated the modest 14th-century building into a grander noble
residence, reflecting the architectural trends of the late Renaissance
and early Baroque periods in Venice. The new design featured four
floors, with two prominent façades facing the Rio di San Felice,
emphasizing the palace's waterside prominence.
A key interior
element was the grand internal staircase, designed by the Mantuan
architect Alfonso Moscatelli. This staircase was a hallmark of the
17th-century rebuild, showcasing intricate craftsmanship typical of
Venetian palazzi interiors. The palace's location at coordinates
approximately 45°26′32″N 12°20′03″E placed it in a bustling yet
residential part of Cannaregio, near key landmarks like the Ponte
delle Maravegie and adjacent structures such as Palazzo Belisandra
Maraviglia. Martinioni's 1663 description highlights it as a recently
rebuilt edifice, underscoring its status as a symbol of Priuli
prestige.
The Devastating Fire of 1739 and Subsequent
Reconstruction
Tragedy struck on March 8, 1739, when a fire
originated in the palace's upper kitchen and rapidly engulfed the
entire structure. The blaze completely consumed the building,
destroying much of its interior, including Moscatelli's celebrated
staircase. Contemporary manuscripts, such as those by Benigna, detail
the event's severity, noting the palace's total loss. Demolition of
the ruins proved hazardous; on September 11, 1741, a worker perished
while clearing the site.
Reconstruction began shortly after,
completed in 1739 using salvaged historical materials from the
original structure. However, the rebuild was not a full restoration;
the internal staircase was not replaced, and much of the upper
portions were simplified or omitted. The palace was largely demolished
above the lower storey, with only remnants like marble bases,
warehouse doors, and partial upper sections near the bridge surviving.
A new building was eventually constructed over the ruins,
incorporating these elements.
Architecture and Current State
Post-1739, the Palazzo Priuli Scarpon retains a four-story
configuration, with façades characterized by arched windows,
balconies, and brickwork typical of Venetian Gothic and Renaissance
influences, though tempered by the reconstruction's practicality. The
waterside elevations along the rio feature simple yet elegant
detailing, with some exposed brick and stucco that hint at its layered
history. The palace remains in private use today, serving as a
residential or mixed-purpose building in Cannaregio.
The palace's
history exemplifies the resilience of Venetian architecture amid
fires, a common peril in the city's wooden-interior buildings.
References to it appear in historical guides like Pasquale Coddè's
Memorie Biografiche (1837) and Marcello Brusegan's La grande guida dei
monumenti di Venezia (2005), underscoring its cultural significance.
While not as grand as some Priuli properties (e.g., Palazzo Priuli
Ruzzini in Santa Maria Formosa or Palazzo Priuli-Stazio in San Polo),
it stands as a testament to the family's enduring legacy in Venice.
Palazzo Priuli Scarpon is a fine example of Venetian architecture,
blending elements of Gothic, Renaissance, and later Baroque influences
due to its long history of modifications. While specific details about
its facade and interior are less extensively documented compared to more
famous palazzi like the Ca’ d’Oro, available sources provide some
insights into its design:
Facade and Exterior: The palazzo is
positioned along the Rio di San Felice, a canal in Cannaregio, and its
facade likely reflects the Venetian Gothic style common in the 14th and
15th centuries, characterized by pointed arches, delicate tracery, and a
focus on verticality. The 1739 reconstruction may have introduced
Baroque elements, such as more ornate window frames or decorative
flourishes, though the emphasis on reusing historical materials suggests
a commitment to maintaining the original aesthetic. The palazzo’s
location near a canal would have included a water gate (porta d’acqua)
for direct access by boat, a standard feature of Venetian palazzi that
facilitated trade and transport.
Interior Layout: Like most Venetian
palazzi, Palazzo Priuli Scarpon would have been designed with both
residential and commercial functions in mind. The ground floor, or
androne, typically served as a space for business activities, with
storerooms and offices adjacent to the canal for loading and unloading
goods. The piano nobile (noble floor) above would have housed the
family’s living quarters, featuring grand reception rooms with high
ceilings, frescoes, and ornate stucco work. The loss of Moscatelli’s
staircase in the 1739 fire was a significant blow, as such staircases
were often architectural highlights, designed to impress visitors with
their grandeur.
Materials and Craftsmanship: The palazzo likely
incorporates materials typical of Venetian construction, such as Istrian
stone for structural elements, brick for walls, and timber beams for
ceilings. Venetian palazzi often used lightweight larch or fir from the
Dolomites for beams, as these woods resisted humidity and provided
flexibility against the city’s shifting foundations. Decorative
elements, such as Murano glass chandeliers, marble flooring, and richly
painted or carved wooden ceilings, would have adorned the interior,
reflecting the Priuli family’s wealth.
Functional Design: The
palazzo’s design would have balanced practicality with opulence. The
ground floor’s commercial spaces catered to the Priuli family’s maritime
and trading interests, while the upper floors provided luxurious living
spaces. Small devotional shrines, a common feature in Venetian homes,
may have been present, housing religious icons like the Byzantine Virgin
Mary Odighitria, as seen in other Priuli properties.
Palazzo Priuli Scarpon is significant for several reasons, both as a
historical artifact and as a reflection of Venetian society:
The
Priuli Family Legacy: The palazzo underscores the Priuli family’s
enduring influence in Venice. Antonio Priuli’s tenure as Doge was marked
by challenges, including the Spanish conspiracy and the Thirty Years’
War, and his investments in properties like Palazzo Priuli Scarpon
reflect the family’s efforts to maintain their status despite financial
strains. The family’s ownership of multiple properties, including the
Fondaco dei Turchi, highlights their role in Venice’s global trade
networks.
Architectural Evolution: The palazzo’s history of
construction, destruction, and rebuilding mirrors the broader evolution
of Venetian architecture. Its 14th-century origins place it among the
early secular buildings influenced by the Doge’s Palace, while the 1618
and 1739 reconstructions introduced Renaissance and Baroque elements.
This layering of styles makes it a valuable case study for understanding
how Venetian palazzi adapted to changing tastes and practical needs.
Venetian Lifestyle: The palazzo exemplifies the dual role of Venetian
noble residences as both homes and commercial hubs. The Priuli family’s
maritime and trading activities would have been managed from the
palazzo, with its canal-side location facilitating the movement of
goods. The piano nobile served as a stage for social and political
activities, where the family hosted guests and conducted negotiations,
reinforcing their status in Venetian society.
Unlike some Venetian palazzi that have been converted into museums or
public institutions, Palazzo Priuli Scarpon does not appear to be a
major tourist attraction or a publicly accessible site today. Based on
available information, it is likely a private residence or possibly
divided into apartments, a common fate for many smaller palazzi in
Venice. The lack of extensive modern documentation or references to it
as a hotel (unlike the similarly named Hotel Palazzo Priuli in Castello)
suggests it has not been commercialized in the same way as other
historic properties.
The palazzo’s location in Cannaregio, a
quieter and more residential sestiere compared to San Marco or Castello,
adds to its relative obscurity. However, its historical significance
remains intact, and it may still retain architectural features like its
canal-side facade, water gate, or remnants of its 18th-century
reconstruction. Preservation efforts in Venice, overseen by bodies like
the Superintendency of Venice, would ensure that any modifications to
the palazzo respect its historical character, as seen in the careful
restoration of other Priuli properties.