Palazzo Malipiero - History

History

The Ca' Grande (big palace) of Saint Samuel was probably built at the beginning of the 11th century by Soranzo family, which also built in that period, together with the Boldù family, the church of San Samuele facing the land-facade of the Palace. In the 13th century a third floor was added.

In the early days of the 15th century the Cappello family, one of the most energetic and industrious families of Venice, became owners of the Palace as a result of marriages with the Soranzos. The Cappello family used the palace's storehouses to house the newly discovered printing and publishing activity. In the mid-16th century this family enlarged the building and modified the Grand Canal facade to its present shape.

Around 1590 the Malipiero family became tenants of the Cappellos and Caterino Malipiero, within few years as from 1610, through the marriage with Elisabetta Cappello and further purchases, vecame owners of the whole edifice. Evidence of the very many restorations done by him are the date 1622 and the initials K.M. - for Caterino Malipiero- in an engraving placed over on the main door he built, giving access to the new large entrance of the Palace.

Around the year 1725, the Malipiero began restoration works that gave the palace today's homogeneous aspect. In the first half of the 19th century, with Venice in decline, the Palace suffered the same destiny as many other palaces of patrician families: being sold to many successive owners. These transfers accelerated the structural deterioration until the Barnabò family purchased it. In 1951 the Barnabòs undertook a substantial restoration, returning the palace to a grand and serene eighteenth-century style.