Palazzo Soranzo, Gothic palace in San Polo, Venice, Italy

Palazzo Soranzo comprises two connected Gothic buildings facing Campo San Polo, with the older section built in the mid-14th century. The structure features characteristic Gothic elements and has been divided into residential apartments and office spaces while preserving its original architectural details.

The Soranzo, a noble Venetian family that gave the Republic a doge, Giovanni Soranzo (1312–1328), built the palace in the 14th century. Giovanni received Dante Alighieri here while Dante was ambassador for the Da Polenta of Ravenna. The building was later doubled in size in the 15th century, and in the 16th century its exterior was frescoed by Giorgione, of whose work nothing remains.

The Soranzo family gave Venice Doge Giovanni Soranzo (1312–1328) and sixteen procurators of San Marco. Giovanni received Dante Alighieri here while the poet served as ambassador for the Da Polenta lords of Ravenna. From 1987 to 2002 the palace housed Ca' Foscari University's Chinese Seminar and its library.

The palace faces Campo San Polo, reached on foot through the narrow calli of San Polo; the square was paved in 1493. The two halves read differently from outside: the left, older part has two asymmetric portals and stacked quadrifore, the right part a single portal and an eight-light polifora. The interior is private and divided into flats and offices, so the façades are what you see.

Before Campo San Polo was paved in 1493, small bridges connected the palace to the square since the area was still marshy and prone to flooding. This detail shows how Venice gradually developed its infrastructure to adapt to a growing city.