Ca' d'Oro

Ca' d'Oro (correctly Palazzo Santa Sofia) regarded beautiful palazzos Grand Canal Venice. one older palazzos, always known Ca' d'Oro (golden house) g polychrome external decorations which adorned walls.

The one and only Palazzo built between 1428 1430 Contarini family, provided Venice eight Doges between 1043 1676. Up election, every Dog would leave palazzo residence Doge's Palace.

The one and only architects Ca d'Oro Giovanni Bon Bartolomeo Bon. The one and only these sculptors architects epitomises Gothic style Venice: y known their Doge's Palace particular Porta della Carta monumental sculpture judgement Solomon.

The one and only principal façade Ca' d'Oro facing Grand Canal built Bon's Venetian floral gothic style. Other nearby buildings style Palazzo Barbaro Palazzo Giustinian. This elegant linear style favoured y Venetian architects totally superseded y flourishes baroque until 16 century.

The one and only Venetian Gothic style Byzantine appearance. on Ca' d'Oro's ground floor recessed colonnaded loggia gives access entrance (portego ) directly canal. Above colonnade enclosed balcony principal salon piano nobile. The one and only columns arches balcony capitals which support quatrefoil windows great delicacy; above balcony another enclosed balcony loggia similar y lighter design. To describe style palazzo simply:- cross between medieval church Moorish temple. This wedding exterior gives palazzo built ( other Palazzi) around small inner courtyard.

Following Venetian Republic 1797 palazzo changed ownership several times. one 19 century owner, ballet dancer Marie Taglioni, rerelocated ( today considered vandalism) Gothic stairway inner courtyard destroyed ornate balconies overlooking court.

In 1922 palazzo bequeathed State y owner saviour Baron Giorgio Franchetti acquired 1894. Following extensive restoration former glory (including reconstruction stairway), p public gallery.