Even without all its past decoration, the Ca' d’Oro is still the most beautiful example of the fanciful late Gothic style in Venice today, dating back to a time when Florence was well into the Renaissance and the corresponding formal style of architecture.

The facade, with its elegantly carved pointed windows, exotic pinnacles and fine marble fretwork, clearly points to an oriental influence.
The palace was built in 1442 by Marino Contarini, perhaps inspired by the Doge’s Palace. The impressive marble details were by Matteo Raverti, the most famous stonemason of the time.
In 1894 the Ca’ d’Oro was bought by Count Giorgio Franchetti of Turin. After some excellent renovation, in 1905 he donated it together with his prestigious art collection to the Italian State.
This art collection, open to the public, includes paintings and frescoes by Venetian artists, plus pieces of Renaissance sculpture, tiles, tapestries, furniture and bronzes. It contains several masterpieces: Vittore Carpaccio’s Annunciation (1504), Luca Signorelli’s Flagellation (c. 1480), Mantegna’s St. Sebastian and Sansovino’s Madonna and Child (sculpture, c. 1530).

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1300 - 1400 - CANNAREGGIO - rev. 0.1.11