Palazzo Contarini Fasan: Living In Desdemona's Home

Experiencing Venice from one of its most iconic locations means coming into daily contact with the history, architecture, and atmosphere that have made the city unique in the world.

The property is located in the heart of the San Marco district, in an extraordinary setting overlooking the Grand Canal. We are inside Palazzo Contarini Fasan, a small gem of 15th-century Venetian Gothic architecture, traditionally known as Desdemona’s House. Its elegant, tall façade—featuring a pointed three-light window, finely openwork balconies, Gothic single-light windows, and the Contarini family coat of arms—offers one of the most evocative views along this stretch of the Grand Canal.

For centuries, a legend has linked the palace to the home of Desdemona from William Shakespeare’s *Othello*. Various Venetian traditions have sought to identify real-life figures as the inspiration for the tragedy: among them, the military leader Nicola Contarini, known as “il Moro,” and Admiral Cristoforo Moro, whose personal story bears striking similarities to Shakespeare’s famous tale. History, legend, and literature thus intertwine, contributing to the place’s unique charm.

The residence, situated in an inner courtyard, exudes a cozy and private atmosphere. The views look out onto courtyards and gardens nestled among ancient palaces, evoking that intimate and surprisingly green atmosphere characteristic of residential Venice.

The entrance leads to the spacious living room, which is symmetrical and easily organized into different functional areas. Wooden parquet flooring, exposed beams, and numerous windows create a warm and distinctive atmosphere, where works of art and furnishings find their natural place. The separate kitchen, connected to the living area, also features a space suitable for breakfast and offers pleasant views of the inner greenery.

The private area includes a master bedroom with hardwood floors and ample built-in closets, a second room that can serve as a study, guest room, or personal space, and a marble-tiled bathroom with a bathtub.

The interiors retain a classic character, with wooden windows and doors, hardwood floors, and exposed beams, while also offering interesting possibilities for reinterpretation through a modernization project.

The property’s most unique value, however, stems from the interplay between its private setting and monumental Venice: reaching St. Mark’s Square in just a few minutes, strolling through the narrow streets and small squares, or arriving directly by water thanks to the building’s private dock on the Grand Canal.

An authentic Venetian residence, ideal as a primary residence or a prestigious second home, in a setting that is virtually unmatched in terms of history, accessibility, and prestige.
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LOCATION:
Just a short walk from St. Mark’s Square, a Venetian residence set in a particularly charming setting, with shared access to the Grand Canal.

Located in the San Marco district, a short distance from St. Mark’s Square, this apartment occupies a prime location within an elegant Venetian building equipped with an elevator and a private dock directly on the Grand Canal—a feature that adds significantly to both comfort and prestige.
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DETAILS:
The apartment does not include the furnishings and accessories shown in the photos and is equipped with only a kitchen.
Central heating and air conditioning
Building with a caretaker
Pre-19th-century building designated as a site of historical and artistic interest