Palazzo Correr Contarini Zorzi, Renaissance palace in Cannaregio, Venice, Italy
Palazzo Correr Contarini Zorzi is a Renaissance palace on the Grand Canal with two monumental water portals featuring symmetrical quadrangular windows. The facade displays noble floors decorated with three-part window openings and small balconies that exemplify the refined residential style of the period.
The palace was built in 1678 on the site of an earlier Gothic structure, representing the transition from late medieval to Renaissance architectural style. Over time it served as the residence of several prominent Venetian families including the Correr, Soranzo, Zorzi, and Contarini.
The palace earned its nickname Ca' dei Cuori from the heart-shaped family crests adorning both the external gates and the courtyard inside. These decorative symbols reveal how Venetian families expressed their identity through the homes they occupied.
The structure sits between two other significant palaces and can be accessed from the Grand Canal through its water portals. Visitors should know that while the exterior is visible from the waterway, internal access may be restricted or limited.
Antonio Correr, a resident of this palace, famously rejected wearing the powdered wigs that symbolized status in Venetian society. His refusal to conform to this fashion convention distinguished him as someone willing to challenge social expectations.
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