Ca' d'Oro Palace
Description:
The Palace of Ca’ d’Oro (or Palazzo Santa Sophia) is popularly called the “Golden House”. This delightful structure, which is a vivid example of secular Venetian architecture, is located in the historic district of Cannaregio, on the banks of the Grand Canal. The palace was built in the 15th century by the famous architects of Venice - Giovanni and Bartolomeo Bon.
During the construction of the palace, the most expensive materials were used - vermilion, ultramarine, multicolored marble, cinnabar, and gold leaf for finishing the facade of the building. The arched vaults of the building are decorated with exquisite marble lace patterns. Thanks to Gothic pointed arches, magnificent loggias and balconies, the palace seems fabulous and unique.
Today, Ca’ d’Oro is open to visitors. Here is the Franchetti Gallery, presenting a collection of paintings and sculptures of the Middle Ages: works by Vittore Carpaccio, Sansovino, Paris Bordonet, Tintoretto, Francesco Guardi, Van Dyck, Luca Signorelli and other famous masters. Also in the "Golden House" there are collections of frescoes, ceramics and other art objects.