Ca‘ d’Oro

The Ca’ d’Oro palace sits on the Grand Canal. The name means “golden house” due to the gilt and polychrome external decorations which once adorned its walls. It has long been regarded as the best surviving palazzo in Venetian Gothic architecture, retaining all the most characteristic features. Since 1927 it has been used as the Galleria Giorgio Franchetti.

The palace was built between 1428 and 1430 for the Contarini family who provided Venice with eight Doges between 1043 and 1676. The architects of the Ca d’Oro were Giovanni Bon and his son Bartolomeo Bon.

In 1894, the palace was acquired by its last owner, baron Giorgio Franchetti; throughout his lifetime, he amassed an important art collection and personally oversaw its extensive restoration, including the reconstruction of the stairway and the Cosmatesque courtyard with ancient marbles. In 1916, Franchetti bequeathed the Ca’ d’Oro to the Italian State. It is now open to the public as a gallery: Galleria Giorgio Franchetti alla Ca’ d’Oro.

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