Palazzo Mocenigo

Save

Let us know if these details are incorrect

Lonely Planet review

This mansion belonged to one of the most important families of the Republic. Originally a Gothic pile, it was overhauled in the 17th century and is typical of Venetian patricians' lodgings. The 16th-century philosopher Giordano Bruno was hosted here for a time by the Mocenigo family, who then betrayed him and handed him over to the Inquisition. (He was subsequently tortured and burnt at the stake in Rome for heresy.)

The mansion now houses a modest museum, with clothes, period furnishings and accessories from the 17th century.

Sweeping stairs take you up to the slightly dowdy piano nobile , divided in typical Venetian fashion. A portego divides the floor in two and is graced with period furnishings and portraits of various Mocenigo greats (the family provided seven dogi). The five big portraits are of rank outsiders, such as Charles II of England. The Mocenigo family stopped living here in 1945.