Venice is getting ready to find one of its most fascinating addresses: in fact, in July 2026, it will reopen. Palazzo Giovanellihistorical Venetian residence of the 16th century which, after a long and careful restoration project, inaugurates a new stage transforming itself into a refined five-star hotel. Facing the Grand Canal in the district of San Stae, it represents an important piece of the historical and architectural heritage of the lagoon city.
The reopening marks the conclusion of a four-year recovery project, carried out under the supervision of the Superintendence of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the Municipality of Venice.
A new chapter for a historic Venetian residence
With the sun 33 rooms and suitesPalazzo Giovanelli presents itself as a structure with an intimate and intimate soul, far from the abundance of contemporary hospitality: the choice to keep small dimensions reflects the desire to offer aexclusive stay experience and linked to the authentic character of the city.
The building stands out in the heart of San Stae, an area that allows you to live Venice with more tranquility, away from the more intense tourist flows that affect other areas of the historic center and, over the centuries, has welcomed leading personalities of Venetian and European history, including Marco Foscarinidestined to become Doge of the Republic of Venice, but also Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.
Owned by the Semenzato family, Palazzo Giovanelli retains the atmosphere of a private Venetian residence. The relaunch project aims to reinterpret the concept of luxury thanks to a balanced combination of historical value, contemporary comfort and personalized attention towards guests.
The recovery of an artistic and architectural heritage
One of the most significant aspects of the intervention concerns the recovery of the artistic and decorative elements that characterize the palace: the restoration has, in fact, made it possible to highlight some of the most precious details preserved inside.
Among the elements that receive special attention are the frescoes attributed to Giovanni Battista Zelotti, the decorative stucco hey polychrome marbles which testify to the prestige acquired by the building during its long history. Added to these are very suggestive details, such as theancient secret passage connected to the Doge’s apartment, concrete evidence of a past closely linked to the events of the Serenissima.
The architectural project, entrusted to Studio Gascón, faced the challenge of combining protection and innovation: the intervention was conceived as a continuous dialogue between conservation and contemporaneity, with the aim of respecting the identity of the building while introducing a language of hospitality capable of meeting the expectations of today’s international traveler.
According to Gabriele Gascón, founder of the studio, Venice requires a design approach based on listening and respecting the memory preserved by its buildings. The objective of the work carried out at the Palazzo Giovanelli was precisely to bring it back brightness to the environmentletting the city itself lead the transformation process.
Gastronomy and conviviality in the name of tradition
The new course of Palazzo Giovanelli will also be accompanied by the opening of two areas dedicated to gastronomic experience and encounters: Harmonica restaurant that is inspired by the Venetian culinary tradition and that presents itself as a place to enhance the local gastronomic heritage, and Do space griffonsa cocktail lounge redesigned to offer a contemporary environment in dialogue with the historical context that welcomes it.
A luxury that focuses on authenticity
The reopening of Palazzo Giovanelli is part of a context where interest is growing in forms of hospitality capable of distinguishing themselves from the standardized proposals of the world market and aims to intercept a new generation of travelers in search of strongly identifying experiences.
Direct access from Grand Canalthe presence of a private mooring and the possibility of experiencing Venice from a more private perspective become distinctive elements of a proposal that is placed in the relationship with the territory and its history.
In the words of Angelica and Oliviero Semenzato, Palazzo Giovanelli represents the realization of a family vision matured over time, founded on the desire to bring life back to places of extraordinary historical and cultural value.