Ca' Rezzonico

Over the centuries, Venice and its palaces have enthralled and inspired the travellers and aesthetes of the world, the painters, sculptors, musicians, makeup artists and writers. Therefore whoever visits the lagoon city simply must see one of the Palaces from within. This is easily accomplished in Ca’ Rezzonico. This Palace has belonged to Venice since the mid 20th Century- more precisely since 1936, and now houses a museum. Here one can not only study the architecture of the large palaces and catch a great view of the Grand Canal, but also simultaneously visit alternating but always exclusive exhibitions.

Like many other palaces Ca’ Rezzonico also has an eventful history. ‘Ca’ is quite simply the abbreviation for the word ‘Casa’ which means ‘house’ in Italian. Originally two houses stood at the site of the palace. In 1649 however the owner at the time decided to extend to something bigger, more beautiful and taller. The plan soon exceeded his means and the palace remained unfinished for some time. In a painting by the famous Venetian painter- Canaletto the half-finished palace was captured for posterity. It did not take too long until there was a new owner and for whom lack of money was in no way a problem. The Rezzonico family had just spent a fortune buying into Venetian nobility when they added Ca’ Rezzonico to their shopping list. The building was finished to the highest standard and for the interior, renowned artists like Giambattista Tieplo, were commissioned.

The last son of the Rezzonico family died in the year 1810; thereafter the palace frequently underwent a change in ownership until finally the state bought the opulent palace. In the mean time everything that could be moved from the interior has left the house. Hence for those who are interested in seeing how life was during the hey-dey of the palace will not obtain their money’s worth in Ca’ Rezzonico. Here it is more about the façade, the presentation and the layout of the house and of course its very high ceilings and wall-paintings.

A vivid impression of the former furniture and decoration of ceremonial palaces can be better obtained in the ‘Palazzo Mocenigo’ in which some of the original furniture and décor is still available and in fact still stands in its original place.

Tourist Guide Venice

Ca' Rezzonico