The Palace

The Palace and its history

Palazzo Morosini degli Spezieri di Venezia

Palazzo Morosini degli Spezieri is located in a residential area, close to some of the major tourist attractions like the Frari Church and the Rialto Bridge, yet gently removed from the crowds. A lush garden flanking the canal offers an added respite from St. Mark’s hustle and bustle, and is the perfect place for a book or a glass of Prosecco.

The early occupants of the building were the Morosini family, who gave birth to Domenico Morosini, Commander in Chief of the victorious galley which, in 1204, brought back to Venice as spoils of war of the Fourth Crusade the famous gold-plated quadriga, considered one of our city’s symbols. It is thought that the four horses had been part of a larger sculptural grouping adorning the entrance of Constantinople’s Hippodrome. The horses remained in the Arsenale for over fifty years and were only placed above the main entrance to the Basilica of St. Mark after 1261, to symbolise the fall of the so-called Latin Empire of the East. As well as a religious symbol (the “Quadriga Domini” as an allegory of the four evangelists spreading of the Gospel) they represented also a political statement: Venice’s continuity with the imperial power of Byzantium. The mosaic on the lunette above the portal of S. Alipio, dating back to 1265, shows the four horses on the facade of St. Mark’s Basilica in the position they still occupy today.

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Location

All apartments are located in the lively and central San Polo district, which takes its name from its main square, the largest in Venice after Piazza San Marco and from its church. Certainly the most important area in this district is Rialto, with its bridge, the typical fish and vegetable market and the church of San Giacomo di Rialto, considered the oldest in Venice. Of great architectural and artistic importance are also the Basilica of Santa Maria Gloriosa dei Frari and the Chiesa di San Rocco. There are also two Great Schools, the Scuola Grande di San Rocco, and the Scuola Grande di San Giovanni Evangelista, with the adjoining church.

The San Polo district is also characterised by the highest concentration of traditional Venetian taverns: particularly typical Venetian bacari which serve the delicious Venetian ‘tapas’ called ‘chicheti’, as well as a variety of wines from both the Veneto area and other regions of Italy. The ‘Ruga Rialto‘, which is the main artery connecting the Rialto area to Campo San Polo is lined with a variety of shops, many still run by Venetian artisans selling locally-made goods ranging from Italian leather, to clothing, to accessories.

Partially surrounded by the Grand Canal the district is served by the line 1 of the public transportation system through the Vaporetto ACTV stops Rialto Market and San Silvestro. Line 2 also reaches San Polo with the “San Tomà” stop.

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