Palazzo Corner Mocenigo, Renaissance palace in San Polo, Venice, Italy
Palazzo Corner Mocenigo is a Renaissance palace featuring a three-part facade with three mezzanine levels and thin brick walls that create an elegant vertical composition. The main front displays Ionic and Corinthian columns above a grand water-level entrance, while the secondary access opens onto a nearby square.
Michele Sanmicheli designed this palace in the 16th century as a showcase of Renaissance principles applied to Venetian domestic architecture. The building later became a government office space, adapting to modern administrative needs while preserving its original structure.
This palace reflects the prominence of the Corner family in Venetian society, whose wealth allowed them to commission such a sophisticated design. The building stands as a reminder of how merchant families shaped the city's architectural identity during the Renaissance.
The palace has two distinct entrances that reflect its dual relationship with the canal and the adjacent square, allowing you to view it from multiple angles. The main facade is best appreciated from the water side or from the nearby square where you can step back and see the full composition.
The palace employs exceptionally thin bricks in its walls, a Roman building technique that Sanmicheli chose instead of the thicker brick methods common in Venice at that time. This engineering choice demonstrates the architect's willingness to experiment with unusual construction methods in a traditional setting.
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