Palazzo Lezze, Baroque palace in Cannaregio, Italy.
Palazzo Lezze is a Baroque residence overlooking the Rio della Misericordia in Venice, featuring a distinctive facade of ashlar masonry with heavily balustraded balconies on multiple levels. The building stands between the Scuola Grande Nuova della Misericordia and Calle Largo Lezze, accessible from both the waterfront and the street.
Giovanni da Lezze commissioned the main facade between 1611 and 1617 while serving as Procurator of Saint Mark, a prestigious position in Venice. This construction period reflects when the city's wealthy families were building and expanding their grand residences in the Baroque style.
The palace displays carved female heads on its window keystones, a detail that reflects how wealthy Venetian families adorned their homes. These stone ornaments show the refined taste of people who wanted to display their status through architectural decoration.
The best view of this residence comes from the Rio della Misericordia, where you can see the full facade and its ornamental details from the water. Walking past along Calle Largo Lezze also provides a good perspective of the building's side facing the street.
The internal courtyard contains busts created by Francesco Cavrioli, a sculptor whose works are rarely discussed in guidebooks. These pieces represent the skilled craftsmanship that Venice supported, though they remain hidden from public view.
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