In Campo San Samuele and overlooking the Grand Canal, Palazzo Grassi was built between 1748 and 1772 by the rich Grassi family from Bologna. Its design is attributed to the architect Giorgio Massari, who also built the Chiesa dei Gesuati and the top section of Ca' Rezzonico. This was one of the last palaces to be built in Venice before the fall of the Republic in 1797

In the neoclassic style, the palace is built around a large colonnaded courtyard. The façade is harmonious, yet typically Venetian: the central windows are grouped, while those towards the edges are spread further apart.

Palazzo Grassi had an unusual destiny for Venetian noble palaces: it was quickly used for a different purpose.
Originally conceived as a family residence, it became a hotel, the offices of finance companies and for representation uses, and has often been the subject of real estate speculation. Palazzo Grassi has been used as venue for major cultural events since the 1950s.

Today the palace belongs to the French François Pinault Group and houses a wonderful exhibition of contemporary art.

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1600 - 1700 - S. MARCO - rev. 0.1.8