Palazzo Bembo

Palazzo Bembo, Riva del Carbon # 4793

Palazzo Bembo is located on the Canal Grande, a few steps away from the Rialto bridge. It was built by the noble family of Bembo in the fifteenth century. Although it was remodeled several times over the centuries, externally it still maintains the original structure. The Palazzo’s red façade combines old Venetian elements with influences from the Byzantine and is considered an example of the Venetian-Byzantine or -Gothic style, a style of architecture originated in 14th century Venice with the confluence of Byzantine styles from Constantinople, Arab influences from Moorish Spain and early Gothic forms from mainland Italy. Palazzo Bembo’s 17th century restoration, taking influences from that period with polychromy, three-partitioned façades and loggias. The building is on the San Marco side of the Canal Grande, wedged in between Rio di San Salvador and Calle Bembo.

Palazzo Bembo is the birthplace of Pietro Bembo (1470-1547), a Venetian scholar, poet, literary theorist, and cardinal. He was an influential figure in the development of the Italian language, specifically Tuscan, as a literary medium. His writings assisted in the 16th-century revival of interest in the works of Petrarch. Bembo's ideas were also decisive in the formation of the most important secular musical form of the 16th century, the madrigal.

Today, after years of neglect, Palazzo Bembo is finding back to its original atmosphere. It is becoming the home again of the arts, culture and education. Under a new ownership, the decision has been made to restore Palazzo Bembo and to make room for exhibitions in cooperation with la Biennale di Venezia and with the hosting of two exhibitions in 2011 and several world class exhibitions in 2012. The exhibitions in Palazzo Bembo are organized by the Dutch NonProfit Organization GlobalArtAffairs Foundation.