Things to do in Venice – Visit Ca’ Rezzonico

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A cruise down the Grand Canal is one way to see the façades of the numerous aging yet elegant palazzi of Venice. And, if you’ve ever wondered what it looks like inside one of these Venetian houses, here’s your chance. The palatial Ca’ Rezzonico, housing the Museum of 18th Century Venice, is one of the city’s impressive attractions, and even at full admission price, we think it’s worth a visit.

The museum, which opened in 1936, holds a striking collection of furnishings and artwork, some assembled from other museums in Venice and others purchased specifically for this collection. And though not original to Ca’ Rezzonico, they reflect the lavish lifestyle and immense wealth of 18th century Venice.

The façade of Ca’ Rezzonico faces the Grand Canal, but your tour begins at the entrance at the back of the property, along Fondamenta Rezzonico and the San Barnaba canal. From here you can step in to the intimate sculpture garden or walk the length of the entrance hall (the portego at ground level). On this level you’ll find an old gondola on display, the museum café, and you’ll be able to step out through the main entrance facing the Grand Canal.

Take the main stairs to the first level of the palace, a series of rooms decorated with frescoed ceilings, portraits and other paintings, as well as finely carved furnishings, some more disturbing than others – like the ebony chairs with human figures carved into the framework.   Rooms you’ll see on this level include the Ballroom, decorated with trompe l’oeil walls and frescoed ceilings; the Pastel Room which holds a collection of pastel portraits, several of which are by Venetian artist Rosalba Carriera; the Tapestry Room named for three Flemish wall tapestries; the Throne Room with painted ceiling and ornate throne; the Lazzarini Room with ceiling art taken from Palazzo Nani on the Cannaregio Canal; the Brustolon Room, which holds a collection of carved furnishings of ebony and boxwood by sculpture Andrea Brustolon as well as a magnificent Murano glass chandelier (ca. 1730) from the workshop of Giuseppe Briati; and the Portego, which runs the length of the palace and is decorated with marble busts and elegant furnishings.

Take the main stairs to the second floor where you’ll find a string of rooms filled with paintings and frescoes.  The Portego has numerous landscapes, including two early masterpieces by Canaletto:

Rio dei MendicantiView of the Rio dei Mendicanti, ca. 1723

Grand Canal, Looking Northeast from Palazo Balbi toward the Rialto BridgeThe Grand Canal from Ca’ Balbi Looking towards Rialto, ca. 1723

Other rooms here hold a collection of beautifully restored frescoes by Giandomenico Tiepolo taken from his villa at Zianigo, west of Venice.  Dominating the Punchinello Room are a series depicting scenes from the life of the comedic character Punchinello. Another work you’ll see by Tiepolo is Minuet in Villa.

Giovanni Domenico Tiepolo - Minuet in Villa - WGA22389

Minuet in Villa – Giandomenico Tiepolo, ca. 1791

On this level you’ll also see the Spinet Room, with the spinet (piano) as its centerpiece; the Parlour Room and the Longhi Room, with paintings by Francesco Guardi, Pietro Longhi, and Giambattista Tiepolo; and the Alcove, with items from the Pisani and Grimani families – this room is a replica of an 18th century bedchamber consisting of its dressing rooms, wardrobe room, and boudoir.

And, finally, make your way up to the top level of the palace for a walk through the Ai Do San Marchi Pharmacy, stocked with jars and vases of majolica and murano glass, and the Egidio Martini Picture Gallery displaying a vast collection of more recent Venetian paintings.

View of Grand Canal from Ca' Rezzonico Venice Italy

While walking through the upper level rooms of Ca’ Rezzonico, be sure to peak behind the window coverings. The views of the Grand Canal and surrounding neighborhood are spectacular!

Construction of Ca’ Rezzonico began at the request of aristocrat Filippo Bon, who lost the property, along with his fortune, prior to its completion. However, the palace takes its name from Giambattista Rezzonico, wealthy merchant, banker, and brother of Pope Clement XIII, who bought the unfinished property in 1751. In the 19th century the home was owned by painter ‘Pen’ Browning, son of English poets Robert, who died in the home, and Elisabeth Barrett Browning. More recently Ca’ Rezzonico was owned by Count de Minerbi who sold the property to the city of Venice in 1935. We found it interesting to learn that Ca’ Rezzonico, an example of Venetian Baroque architecture, was an inspiration for the Stanford White-designed Manhattan residence of Joseph Pulitzer (11 East 73rd Street in the Upper East Side).

Getting there:

Ca’ Rezzonica is located in the Dorsoduro neighborhood west of San Marco, across the Grand Canal. Get there by Vaporetto (Line 1): Ca’ Rezzonico

Ticket Info:
Adult Admission = 8.00€

FREE with the Museum Pass; valid for 6 months and allows one single admission to each of the following museums: Doge’s Palace + Museo Correr + Museo Archeologico Nazionale + Monumental Rooms of the Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana + Ca’ Rezzonico – Museum of 18th-Century Venice + Museum of Palazzo Mocenigo + Carlo Goldoni’s House + Ca’ Pesaro, International Gallery of Modern Art/Oriental Art Museum + Murano Glass Museum + Burano Lace Museum + Natural History Museum

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