Venetian noble palaces

Overview

Venice is rich in aristocratic palaces and ancient residences of the wealthiest Venetian noble families of the city’s golden age. The nobility (or “patriziato,” from the noble title “patrizio” by which members of the ruling aristocracy of the city of Venice and the Serenissima were identified) constituted one of the three social bodies into which the society of the Venetian Republic was divided, along with citizens and outsiders. The basic foundation of membership in the Patriziato was the exclusive possession of political power because, starting with the Serrata of 1297 and the law of 1320 that precluded the entry of new families, this social body became the only one with the privilege of sitting on the Maggior Consiglio, the city’s highest governing body. Through this itinerary, it will be possible to discover some of the most beautiful palaces that belonged to some of the most important Venetian noble families. Very different in appearance and architecture, these palaces are similar to each other in telling some moments in the history of one of the most important and enduring republics in European history.

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