Ca' Zenobio degli Armeni, Baroque palace in Dorsoduro, Italy
Ca' Zenobio degli Armeni is a Baroque palace in the Dorsoduro district of Venice, facing the Rio Carmini canal. It has a series of decorated halls, a two-story ballroom, and a large garden that opens behind the main facade.
The palace was built in the late 17th century by architect Antonio Gaspari for the Venetian Zenobio family, replacing an older Gothic building on the same site. The land had previously belonged to the Morosini family before passing to the Zenobios.
The name Zenobio comes from the ancient queen Zenobia, and her story appears painted on the walls of some rooms inside the palace. The Armenian community that later occupied the building brought their own traditions to this corner of Dorsoduro, leaving a visible mark on the space.
The palace is on Fondamenta del Soccorso in Dorsoduro and easy to reach on foot from nearby landmarks. During high water periods, known locally as acqua alta, the surrounding walkways can flood, so it is worth checking conditions before you go.
The ceiling paintings inside were made by the French painter Louis Dorigny and show Aurora and the Chariot of Apollo. Dorigny was one of the few non-Italian artists to receive major commissions in Venice during the late 17th century.
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