The Hotel Palazzo Venart, on the banks of the Canal Grande, is much more than a luxurious five-star establishment – it is a building steeped in history that unites the historic charm of past times with the modern amenities of a »Leading Hotels of the World« member, combining traditional Venetian interiors with contemporary design.
Palazzo Venart, one of the most outstanding luxury hotels in Venice, has an extremely eventful history, which certainly determines the charm of this particular establishment. As Palazzo Bacchini delle Palme, the original name of the magnificent building, it served since the 15th century – first as the estate of the prestigious Venetian noble families Lion and Vernier and later as the residence of the famous mercenary captain Pandolfo Malatesta and the Count of Carmagnola. The original façade of the palazzo, which faced the Canal Grande, embodied the three-part architecture typical of 15th century Venice – with elegant arched windows, white marble and balustrades of Istrian stone. Over the centuries, the building has always been one of the most exclusive and spectacular in the city, so much that in 1819 it was even mentioned in the prestigious guidebook Forestiero Istruito nelle cose più pregevoli e curiose antiche e moderne della città di Venezia. As the center of social and cultural life in Venice, the palace was also always frequented by illustrious aristocratic elites.
In 1845, however, the palazzo fell victim to a devastating fire, which is why, among other things, the façade facing the Canal Grande was demolished and the area transformed into a »garden on the waterfront«. Today, arriving guests are still guided by a water cab to the entrance via this lovingly tended garden, which is adorned with historical statues. The successive reconstruction of the rest of the building and the extensive restoration work subsequently took many decades – the tempera paintings on the walls and ceilings of the corridor, which can still be admired today, date from the very period when the building was completely restored. In the style of Michelangelo Mortalier’s frescoes in Palazzo Grassi, it shows convivial scenes from Venetian society of the time, testifying to the liveliness of palace life.
However, it took until well into the 21st century for Palazzo Venart – now acquired by Taiwanese hotel group LDC Hotels Italy and renamed to Palazzo Venart – Luxury Hotel with its official opening in 2016 – to undergo a comprehensive and detailed complete restoration, with the preservation of the building’s historical integrity as a top priority. Besides the magnificent ceiling and wall decorations, frescoes, marble staircases and the Istrian stone building were finally restored to their former glory. Aspects of Venetian history and culture can also be found in many details of the total of 18 rooms and suites, most of which still reveal their original state. In addition to hand-picked antiques that underscore the palazzo’s noble past, there is no shortage of modern amenities – and in particular, the hotel’s own two-Michelin-starred, internationally renowned restaurant GLAM, under the direction of Michelin-starred chef Enrico Bartolini and executive chef Donato Ascani, adds another outstanding signature touch. [SL]
