“Wasn’t it once a hotel?” I hear you whisper. Yes Palazzo Giustiniani in Venice has a fascinating past. More than just its current role as the seat of the Venice Biennale this palace boasts a rich history. Built in 1471 it’s one of Venice’s last Gothic palazzi. Notice its elegant facade. It’s actually a blend of two older buildings the larger Giustinian and the smaller Badoer-Tiepolo.
For a time Palazzo Giustiniani transformed. It became the Hotel Europa. Imagine the bustle the chatter the famous faces that passed through its doors. Chateaubriand Rodolphe Toepffer Théophile Gautier George Eliot and even Richard Wagner all stayed here. Their footsteps echo in these very halls. The current Westin Europa shares the name but not the location.
In 1866 a momentous event took place within these walls. In one of the hotel’s rooms Edmond Le Bœuf signed the transfer of the Veneto region to the Kingdom of Italy. A significant moment in Italian history played out here.
The Palazzo Giustinian’s story continues. After being purchased by the Municipality of Venice it underwent a complete restoration. Now it stands as a testament to Venice’s enduring spirit. A beautiful palace rich with stories waiting to be discovered. A symbol of the city’s vibrant past and its bright future. The Palazzo Giustiniani is more than just a building. It’s a living memory a place where history art and culture converge.