The Palazzo Tiepolo Passi, also known as Palazzetto Tiepolo or Palazzo Tiepoletto Passi, is a historic palace located in the San Polo sestiere of Venice, Italy, overlooking the right side of the Grand Canal. This narrow, tall structure, built in the mid-16th century, exemplifies early Renaissance architecture with a Lombard-style facade and traces of frescoes attributed to Andrea Meldolla, known as Lo Schiavone. Positioned between the Palazzo Soranzo Pisani and Palazzo Giustinian Persico, and adjacent to the Palazzo Tiepolo, it reflects the architectural and social dynamics of Venice’s noble families, including the Tiepolo and Passi families. Today, the palace serves multiple functions, including as a venue for Venice Biennale exhibitions, a rental property for events and vacations, and a residence for the Passi family, blending historical significance with modern utility.
The Palazzo Tiepolo Passi was constructed in the mid-16th century,
during a period of transition from Venetian Gothic to Renaissance
architectural styles. Sources consistently date its construction to this
era, though the designer remains unknown, a common issue with many
Venetian palazzi due to limited historical records. The palace was
commissioned by a branch of the noble Querini family, who also owned the
adjacent Gothic Palazzetto Tiepolo (often confused with the Palazzo
Tiepolo Passi), before passing to the Tiepolo and later the Passi
families. The Tiepolo family, prominent in Venetian politics and arts,
included figures like the painter Giovanni Battista Tiepolo, though no
direct connection to his work is documented here. The Passi family,
current owners, have maintained the palace’s legacy, adapting it for
contemporary uses.
A notable historical event associated with the
palace occurred on November 3, 1945, when an apartment within it served
as the broadcasting site for Radio Venezia Giulia. Coordinated by the
Italian Foreign Ministry and Conte Justo Giusti del Giardino, the
station provided information and psychological support to Italians in
the Venezia Giulia region, particularly Istria, under Yugoslav control
post-World War II. This episode, mentioned in Italian and German
Wikipedia entries, highlights the palace’s role in modern history,
though its significance is minor compared to its architectural value.
The palace’s history is also shaped by its ownership transitions.
Sources suggest it was inhabited by two families, indicated by its twin
water portals, a feature reflecting Venetian palazzi’s division among
family branches. The Querini’s initial ownership, followed by the
Tiepolo and Passi families, aligns with Venice’s tradition of noble
families consolidating property through marriage or inheritance. The
palace’s survival through centuries of economic and political upheaval,
including the fall of the Venetian Republic in 1797, underscores its
resilience, though its current private status limits detailed historical
documentation.
The Palazzo Tiepolo Passi is a narrow, four-story structure with a
Renaissance facade in the Lombard style, characterized by symmetry and
classical motifs. Its architectural merits are concentrated on the first
noble floor, with the upper floors and ground level serving more
functional purposes. The palace’s design reflects the constraints of its
Grand Canal site, where space was limited, resulting in a tall, compact
form.
Exterior and Facade: The facade, facing the Grand Canal, is
a highlight of early Renaissance architecture, developing along a
central axis that emphasizes verticality. The ground floor features a
stone base with two twin water portals, a rare design indicating dual
family occupancy, as noted in sources like Le Dimore del Quartetto. The
right portal has an architrave, while the left may have been altered or
walled up over time. The first noble floor is the architectural focal
point, with a small balcony on the left supporting a mullioned window
(bifora) with trefoil arches, separated by a central column. To the
right, two single-lancet windows (monofore) with trefoil arches
complement the bifora, creating a balanced yet asymmetrical composition.
The second noble floor and mezzanine above have four rectangular
openings aligned with the windows below, lacking the ornate detailing of
the first floor. The facade is adorned with traces of frescoes
attributed to Andrea Meldolla (Lo Schiavone), though these are in poor
condition and require conservation, as noted by Arslan (1970) and other
sources. The brown plaster covering parts of the facade, mentioned in
related descriptions of the adjacent Palazzetto Tiepolo, may also apply
here, though the Palazzo Tiepolo Passi’s stone elements are more
prominent. The palace’s narrow profile, one of the lowest buildings
between the San Polo and San Tomà canals, enhances its distinctiveness
among Grand Canal palazzi.
Interior: The interior, particularly the
first noble floor, has been restored for modern use, notably as a
Biennale exhibition space. The piano nobile features three wide rooms
with splendid Grand Canal views, as described by La Biennale’s website,
and is cleared of furnishings to accommodate art installations. A
wisteria-covered pergola terrace overlooking a rear garden and courtyard
adds a serene, private oasis, a rare feature in Venice’s dense urban
fabric. The interiors are likely decorated with period elements, such as
stucco work or fresco fragments, though specific details are scarce due
to the palace’s private status. The ground floor, with its mezzanine, is
more utilitarian, historically used for storage or trade, while upper
floors may house apartments or event spaces. Tripadvisor reviews of
rental apartments within the palace, such as the “Tiepoletto”
two-bedroom unit, describe a dated ambiance with minimal privacy
(curtains instead of doors), contrasting with the “lovely studio” owned
by different Passi family members, suggesting varied maintenance across
the building.
Structural Layout: The palace spans four levels: a
ground floor with mezzanine, two noble floors, and an attic mezzanine.
The twin water portals lead to an androne (water-level hall), likely
divided to serve two households, connecting to a central portego or
separate staircases. The first noble floor, with its exhibition rooms
and balcony, is the primary public space during Biennale events, while
the upper floors and ground floor apartments are private. The rear
courtyard and garden, accessible via the terrace, provide additional
event space, as noted by La Biennale. The palace’s private dock on the
Grand Canal and land entrance near Campo San Tomà ensure accessibility
for visitors and art transport, a practical feature for its current
cultural role.
The Palazzo Tiepolo Passi’s artistic significance lies primarily in
its facade frescoes, with limited information on interior decorations
due to its private and adaptive use.
Facade Frescoes by Andrea
Meldolla (Lo Schiavone): Traces of frescoes attributed to Andrea
Meldolla, a 16th-century artist known as Lo Schiavone, are visible on
the facade, as cited in sources like Le Dimore del Quartetto and
venice.jc-r.net. These frescoes, likely depicting mythological or
allegorical scenes, are in poor condition, with conservation needs noted
since at least 1970. Meldolla’s work, influenced by Mannerism and
Venetian colorism, would have added prestige to the palace, though their
faded state diminishes their impact today. The attribution to Meldolla
is consistent across sources, but without detailed images or restoration
records, their exact content remains speculative.
Interior
Decorations: The restored piano nobile, used for Biennale exhibitions,
is described as “finely restored” but cleared of furnishings, suggesting
minimal permanent decoration. Historical Venetian palazzi often featured
frescoes, stucco work, or painted ceilings, and the Palazzo Tiepolo
Passi may retain fragments of such elements, possibly from the 16th or
18th centuries. Unlike the adjacent Palazzo Tiepolo, which has
documented frescoes by Jacopo Guarana and polychrome stucco, no specific
artists are linked to the Passi’s interiors. The wisteria pergola and
garden, while not strictly artistic, contribute to the palace’s
aesthetic, offering a tranquil setting for events.
Contemporary Art
Exhibitions: Since at least 2017, the palace has hosted Biennale
exhibitions, such as “Dialogue with Fire” (until November 2022),
featuring glass art, as noted in Tripadvisor reviews. These temporary
installations, displayed in the piano nobile’s rooms and terrace,
introduce modern creativity to the historic space, creating a dialogue
between Renaissance architecture and contemporary art. The exhibitions,
often free or ticketed, enhance the palace’s cultural role but do not
constitute permanent artistic features.
The limited documentation of
interior artworks, compared to palaces like Palazzo Querini Stampalia,
reflects the Palazzo Tiepolo Passi’s focus on functional adaptation over
museological preservation. The facade frescoes, though degraded, remain
its most significant artistic asset.
The Palazzo Tiepolo Passi is a multifunctional space, balancing
private ownership by the Passi family with public and commercial uses.
Its primary roles include:
Venice Biennale Exhibition Space: The
first noble floor is a prestigious venue for La Biennale’s International
Art and Architecture Exhibitions, hosting shows like “Dialogue with
Fire” (2022). The restored rooms, terrace, and garden provide an elegant
backdrop for contemporary art, with a private dock and land entrance
near Campo San Tomà facilitating access. Exhibitions typically run from
April to November, with hours like 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (closed
Tuesdays), as noted for “Venice Design 2019.” Access is often free,
making it a cultural highlight during Biennale seasons.
Event and
Vacation Rentals: The palace is rented for private events, such as
weddings or corporate gatherings, leveraging its Grand Canal views and
historic ambiance. Apartments within the palace, including the
“Tiepoletto” two-bedroom unit and a studio, are available for vacation
rentals, as detailed in Tripadvisor reviews. The studio is praised for
its charm, while the Tiepoletto apartment receives criticism for its
dated decor and lack of privacy, indicating varied upkeep among Passi
family-owned units. Prices for the two-bedroom are higher, reflecting
its size and canal views.
Private Residence: Parts of the palace
remain private, likely used by the Passi family or other residents. The
ground floor and upper apartments are less accessible, maintaining the
building’s residential function.
Location: The palace is at San Polo,
near Campo San Tomà, approximately 1.1 km from Santa Lucia railway
station. It is accessible via Actv vaporetto (San Tomà stop, lines 1 or
2) or the San Tomà–San Samuele gondola crossing. Nearby attractions
include Palazzo Pisani Moretta (0.1 km), Basilica dei Frari (0.2 km),
and Campo San Tomà (0.1 km), placing it in San Polo’s cultural heart.
Restaurants like Trattoria Pizzeria San Tomà and Muro Frari are within
0.15 km, enhancing visitor convenience.
Visiting: During Biennale
exhibitions, the piano nobile is open to the public, offering access to
the rooms, balcony, and terrace. Outside these periods, the palace is
closed except for event or rental guests. The facade, visible from the
Grand Canal, can be admired by vaporetto or from the opposite bank near
San Tomà. Vacation rentals provide the only consistent interior access,
though guest experiences vary, as seen in Tripadvisor reviews. The
palace’s Tripadvisor ranking is low (e.g., 597/897 attractions in
Venice), reflecting its niche appeal and mixed rental feedback.
The Palazzo Tiepolo Passi embodies Venice’s architectural and social
evolution, bridging the early Renaissance with modern cultural
functions. Its Lombard-style facade, with twin portals and faded
frescoes, reflects the 16th-century shift from Gothic to classical
influences, influenced by mainland architects like those from Lombardy.
The palace’s dual-family design, a practical response to Venice’s
crowded urban landscape, highlights the communal living arrangements of
noble families like the Querini and Tiepolo.
The palace’s role in
Radio Venezia Giulia’s 1945 broadcasts adds a unique, if minor,
historical footnote, connecting it to post-World War II Italy’s
geopolitical challenges. This episode, while intriguing, is less
significant than the palace’s architectural and cultural contributions,
as it was a temporary use of a single apartment. The Passi family’s
stewardship, maintaining the palace through restorations and Biennale
partnerships, underscores Venice’s tradition of adapting historic spaces
for contemporary needs, a practice seen in palazzi like Palazzo Michiel
del Brusà.
As a Biennale venue, the palace contributes to
Venice’s global cultural identity, showcasing how historic architecture
can frame modern art. The wisteria pergola and garden, praised in
reviews, evoke Venice’s rare green spaces, offering a tranquil
counterpoint to the Grand Canal’s bustle. The palace’s proximity to San
Polo’s landmarks, like the Basilica dei Frari, situates it within a rich
historical context, though its private status limits its public
recognition compared to institutions like Palazzo Querini Stampalia.