Museums & Collections Historic Centers Low-Budget Backpacker Luxury Seeker Squares & Monuments UNESCO Cultural Sites Venice

Ca’ d’Oro: Gothic and Renaissance Art in Venice

28/06/2026 - By - Art, Culture, UNESCO Heritage

Ca’ d’Oro is one of Venice’s most iconic palaces, a masterpiece of Venetian Gothic with a fascinating history. Today it houses the Giorgio Franchetti Gallery, with masterpieces such as Mantegna’s St. Sebastian and Titian’s Venus at the Mirror. Here’s what not to miss:
– Once-gilded façade with gold leaf, now in pink and white marble
– Renaissance art collection with works by Carpaccio, Van Dyck, and Bernini
– Courtyard with mosaic floor designed by Baron Franchetti and wellhead by Bartolomeo Bon
– Combined ticket with Palazzo Grimani for €15

Events nearby

Search Events
01/09/2025 - 30/06/2026

Minerals and Other Stories: The Upcoming Event in Vicenza

01/10/2025 - 30/06/2026

Happening in Cortina: The upcoming event in Cortina d’Ampezzo

15/10/2025 - 13/05/2026

Art Season at Teatro Ristori: An Evening to Live in Verona

Copertina itinerario Ca' d'Oro: Gothic and Renaissance Art in Venice
A Gothic palace overlooking the Grand Canal, with a once-gilded façade and an art collection spanning from Mantegna to Titian. Visit the Franchetti Gallery among masterpieces and a mosaic courtyard.

Good to know


  • Introduction
  • Historical Notes
  • The Courtyard and the Mosaic
  • Masterpieces of the Gallery
  • Why Visit It
  • When to Visit
  • Nearby

    • Introduction

    You are on the Grand Canal and suddenly Ca’ d’Oro appears, a palace that seems to come out of a fairy tale. The facade, once covered in gold, now plays with pink and white marbles, between pointed arches and Gothic battlements. It is asymmetrical: the left wing was never completed, and this makes it even more fascinating. Overlooking the water, it is one of the symbols of Venetian Gothic. Entering means discovering a world of art and history, between a mosaic courtyard and Renaissance masterpieces.
    Back to index

    Historical Notes

    Construction began in 1421 at the behest of merchant Marino Contarini, with Venetian and Lombard artisans. Over the centuries, it changed hands: in the mid-19th century, it belonged to the dancer Maria Taglioni, who had many original elements removed. In 1894, it was purchased by Baron Giorgio Franchetti, who restored it and installed his collection there. In 1916, he donated everything to the state, and in 1927, the Galleria Franchetti opened. Today, the museum is undergoing renovation but remains open to visitors.

    • 1421-1440: built for Marino Contarini
    • 1846: purchased by Maria Taglioni
    • 1894: purchased by Baron Franchetti
    • 1916: donation to the state
    • 1927: opened to the public
    Back to index

    The Courtyard and the Mosaic

    As you enter, the courtyard welcomes you with a 350-square-meter floor mosaic, designed by Franchetti himself. Inspired by early Christian basilicas, it combines opus sectile and tesserae, using ancient marbles such as porphyry and serpentine. At the center, a 15th-century wellhead carved by Bartolomeo Bon (1427). Beneath a porphyry stele rest the baron’s ashes. It is an intimate corner that prepares you for the visit to the upper rooms.
    Back to index

    Masterpieces of the Gallery

    Baron Franchetti’s collection is a true treasure trove of art. Among the highlights, Andrea Mantegna’s Saint Sebastian with its captivating perspective. Then Titian’s Venus at the Mirror, sensual and luminous. And three canvases by Vittore Carpaccio: Annunciation, Visitation, and Death of the Virgin. There are also bronze statuettes, ceramics, and a collection of frames. Additionally, fragments of the frescoes from the Fondaco dei Tedeschi, works by Titian and Giorgione.
    Back to index

    Why Visit It

    1. Intimate atmosphere: unlike larger museums, here you can enjoy the artworks almost by yourself. 2. Art and architecture in one place: not only paintings, but also sculptures, furnishings, and the palace itself is a work of art. 3. Affordable price: a full ticket costs only €6, and on the first Sunday of the month entry is free. Perfect for those who want a quality experience without spending too much.
    Back to index

    When to Visit

    The best time? Late afternoon, when the low sun lights up the façade of Ca’ d’Oro, making the marble stand out. In winter there are fewer queues, but the light is lower. In spring and autumn the weather is mild and you can also enjoy the Cannaregio area. If you love tranquility, avoid the weekend.
    Back to index

    Nearby

    Just a few steps away lies the Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in the world, with its synagogues and artisan shops. Stroll among the bacari on Strada Nuova for a Venetian aperitivo. If you have time, also visit Palazzo Grimani, for which a combined ticket is available at €15.
    Back to index

    Itineraries nearby

    Search Itineraries

    Belluno in 1 Day: A Historical Walking Itinerary Among Towers and Palaces

    Medieval Padua in One Day: 8 Stops through Cathedral, Towers, and Walls

    Verona in a Day on Foot: Arena, Squares, and Castelvecchio

    💡 Did You Know…?

    Did you know that the ashes of Baron Franchetti rest in the atrium under a porphyry cippus? And that the wellhead in the courtyard, carved by Bartolomeo Bon, was found in an antique market and repurchased by the baron himself? Every corner tells a story, from when the dancer Marie Taglioni modified the interiors to the meticulous restoration that restored the palace to its original splendor.