Palazzo Michiel del Brusà

The Palazzo Michiel del Brusà is a Gothic palace on the Grand Canal in Venice, recognizable by its symmetrical front with two noble floors. The facade features distinctive four-part windows and ornate floral carvings typical of Venetian Gothic style, with meticulously decorated interior walls and ceiling paintings adorning the rooms.

A devastating fire in 1774 caused by a maid's accident destroyed much of the building's interior, but the original facade survived the flames. The palace was carefully restored between 1777 and the following years, preserving the Gothic front while rebuilding what lay behind it.

The name Michiel comes from a noble Venetian family whose members held top positions in the city for generations. Today visitors can see how the palace still reflects this family's importance through its grand rooms and decorative choices.

The palace is located on Strada Nuova at Campo Santi Apostoli in the Cannaregio district and opens to visitors, especially during exhibitions and cultural events. Walking through the surrounding streets and along the nearby canal gives you the best sense of how this building fits into the daily life and layout of the neighborhood.

Three members of the Michiel family who lived here served as Doge of Venice, with two of them being forced to give up their power. This unusual political history tied to the palace makes the building a window into the complex struggles between powerful families that shaped Venice.