About Palazzo Ca’nova

The origins of the Ca’nova Palazzo date back to the 12th century, when the Barozzi family built the Ca’Barozzi, a crenellated building which had a porch, an open gallery and two large square towers. In the 17th century, the medieval structure was remodelled into a Renaissance palazzo by architect Bartolomeo Manopola.

In the early 19th century, the Treves family, barons of Bonfili, acquired the residence from the Emo family, and asked Giuseppe Borsato – an Italian painter who, among other things, decorated the Teatro La Fenice – to revamp and enhance their new property. Some of the furniture we used for the decoration was designed by Borsato for the Palazzo in 1826.

The Treves family vividly exemplifies the emancipation of the local Jewish community and its full integration into the Italian society of the 19th century.

Today, Ca’nova is owned by Marchesi Alberto and Barbara Berlingieri, who, as a young married couple, had to choose where they wanted to live: Milan, the country estate in Calabria or Venice. They chose the family palazzo in Venice and never looked back. Barbara is one of Venice’s most prominent hostesses and she is actively involved with many international organizations dedicated to helping save Venice’s cultural heritage.