Location and Surrounding Area. If you are looking for palatial grandeur, then Palazzo Nobile is the destination for you. The magnificent, 15th century palazzo is situated right at the heart of what is perhaps Europe’s most fabulous prime location on the Grand Canal and boasts its own private pontoon for romantic gondola rides around the city. A visitor can spend days exploring the canals, art, historical buildings and narrow backstreets and still come away with a sense of not having seen everything there is to see.
Palazzo Nobile is within easy walking distance of most of the marvels that this magical city has to offer. The oldest church in Venice, the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari, features a Titian altarpiece. Titian is interred here in the “Frari”, as locals affectionately call the Basilica, and Donatello's superb sculpture of St. John the Baptist, the artist's first documented work in Venice, can be found in the first south choir chapel.
The Accademia Bridge, which is one of only four bridges to span the Grand Canal, is only a short walk away. The bridge was named after the Fine Arts Academy, once located close by and links the areas of Dorsoduro with San Marco. A local tradition is for lovers to attach padlocks to the metal handrails of the bridge to represent their eternal bond.
Not to be missed is the delightful Campo San Barnaba, which has featured in several films including David Lean's 1955 “Summertime” starring Katherine Hepburn and that old classic, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade. Even for non-film buffs, the lively piazza is a joy to behold and is flanked on one side by the canal. This achingly hip area of Venice is host to an abundance of picturesque canals and buildings and the nearby University of Venice Ca' Foscari ensures that a thriving student population keeps the local bars and night life swinging.
There are 118 different islands scattered across the Venetian Lagoon so why not take a private boat and spend a day or two exploring them? Burano Island features picture-postcard, colourful houses, speciality lace and stunning, Byzantine mosaics in the 1st century Santa Maria Assunta cathedral. Or you could visit the famous Murano Island with its hand-blown glass objets d'art. Ernest Hemingway lived and wrote in the northern area of the Lagoon and you can still find traces of his inspiration in the migrating birds that circle over the water.
Palazzo Nobile is only a two minute walk from the Bridge of Sighs and St Mark’s Square, a five minute walk from the Basilica Santa Maria Gloriosa Dei Frari, La Fenice Theatre and the Accademia Bridge, ten minutes from the Rialto Bridge and the Campo San Barnaba. Venice’s international airport is a twenty minute drive away or less than half an hour in a water taxi.
The Property. This elegantly renovated, gothic palazzo is of much architectural interest and originally belonged to an aristocratic family from Bologna. Today it offers 1,000 m2 of superb accommodation over four floors and sleeps up to 26 guests. The property boasts tastefully luxurious, Italian rooms with notable contemporary art lining the walls and the finest quality bedlinen. There are a total of 14 double bedrooms and each has an en suite bathroom. Five of the bedrooms are on the second floor, six are on the third floor and there are two doubles and a twin room on the fourth floor. The floors are connected by a private lift and there is also a grand staircase in marble that connects the ground floor and second floor.
Many of the ceilings feature fully restored paintings and the balcony views across the Grand Canal and Venice are breathtaking. Because the accommodation is divided over four independent areas, as a large party, you’ll have access to no less than four fully equipped kitchens and various lounge and dining areas. The reception areas are Venetian in style and there is no end of space for intimate conversations or for the whole party to gather together comfortably.
The palazzo has its own fitness centre, library and/or television room for eventual rainy days, an office and a private pontoon for easy access by either boat or gondola. The rooftop terrace is an ideal spot for evening aperitifs at sunset before heading out for dinner.
Please note that the Piano Nobile kitchen can only be used by a Chef. If guests wish to use all the kitchens, it is possible, but for the Piano Nobile, a Chef is mandatory.
| * Please note: the included amenities may vary according to final agreement, make sure to check your contract for complete list. |
