ARCHITECT, Italian
(active 15th century in Venice)

Palazzo Soranzo van Axel: Façade

1473-79
Photo
Cannaregio, Venice

This palace is one of the best conserved examples of a late Gothic two-family palazzo. The palazzo was built in 1473-79 by Nicolò Soranzo, with use of material of the predecessor Byzantine palace.

The layout and the front views are particularly unusual, because the palace is divided into two, each unit with rooms designed for two different families. There are therefore two entrances, both from land and water, two courtyards, two staircases, two wells, and obviously two façades. One façade faces onto the Panada canal, while the other looks out over the San Canciano canal, with two three-lancet windows in the centre.

The photo shows the façade on the San Canciano canal.




© Web Gallery of Art, created by Emil Krén and Daniel Marx.