An opulent palace built for the noble Giustinian family at the end of the 14th Century, it was bought in 1452 by the powerful Doge Francesco Foscari, who then had it thoroughly renovated.
The windows looking out from the rich rooms on the second floor were inspired by the three-mullioned arches in the wing of the Doge’s Palace (again built by Foscari).
This decorative element can also be seen in other palaces in Venice dating from the same period. Some historians claim that in doing so the Venetian nobility wanted to demonstrate its ties to the seat of government. Ca’ Foscari was chosen as the residence of King Henry III of France during his visit to Venice in 1572.

Today the building hosts the Ca' Foscari University of Venice. Founded in 1868 as the “Scuola Superiore di Commercio”, it was the first higher education institution in Italy dedicated to teaching trade and economy.

1300 - 1400 - DORSODURO - rev. 0.1.8