Palazzi Zen, Gothic palace in Cannaregio, Italy.
Palazzi Zen is a Gothic palace in Cannaregio with a facade overlooking the Rio di San Stin, marked by two distinctive 14th-century obelisks at its entrance. The ground floor contains a courtyard, garden, and kitchen spaces, while the upper levels feature decorated rooms and frescoed halls.
Carlo Zeno, a notable military commander, built this palace in the 14th century when Venice held strong maritime power across the Mediterranean. Later renovations in the 18th century transformed the interior while preserving the original Gothic structure.
The noble floor displays frescoes by Antonio Pellegrini, Jacopo Guarana, and Amigoni, reflecting the artistic patronage of the Zen family during the 18th century. These works shaped the interior decoration and remain visible to visitors today.
The palace contains distinct areas on the ground floor that shape how visitors move through the space, including the courtyard and garden zones. Check ahead to understand which sections are open to the public and which may be reserved for private events.
Alessandro Zen served as ambassador to King Louis XV's court at Versailles and commissioned architect Antonio Gasparri to redesign major sections of the palace. His diplomatic connections shaped a blend of French design influences with traditional Venetian craftsmanship.
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