Palazzo Foscarini ai Carmini, Renaissance palace in Dorsoduro, Italy
Palazzo Foscarini ai Carmini is a Renaissance palace in Dorsoduro with L-shaped structures arranged around the Campo dei Carmini near the Church of Carmini. The Foscarini bridge links the different sections of the property, creating a connected layout that opens onto the surrounding square.
The residence was built in the 16th century as a home for the Foscarini family and expanded notably in the 18th century under Doge Marco Foscarini. This enlargement added architectural elements that reflected the changing tastes and increased importance of the household during that period.
The noble floor on the first level shows frescoed ceilings and decorative stucco from the 17th and 18th centuries that reveal how the owners displayed their wealth and taste. Walking through these spaces, you notice the careful attention to detail in every surface, from painted vaults to molded walls.
The building now serves as the Belgian consulate in Venice, while other sections remain privately owned, which limits open access to the property. Visitors should check ahead before planning a visit, as parts of the palace are not regularly open to the public.
A neoclassical building in the garden once held the extensive Foscarini Library, adorned with sculptural decorations. This collection was notable for its scale and represented an important archive of knowledge held by the family throughout the centuries.
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