Palazzo Ariani Historical Timeline

Origins

A building on this site is documented as far back as the 9th century, making it one of the earliest recorded addresses in Dorsoduro. The palace seen today, however, was constructed in the 14th century as the residence of the Ariani (or Arian) family, patricians of the Venetian Republic.

Turning points

The Ariani family held the palace until their line died out in the 17th century -- the last heir, Giacomo Arian, died around 1650. Ownership then passed to the Pasqualigo family, and after several further changes of hands, the building eventually came into the possession of Lucia Cicogna, a Catholic nun, who converted the residence into a girls' college.

Influential people

Following Cicogna's death, the palazzo passed to the City of Venice in 1870, and later to the Province of Venice. Its transformation from noble residence to religious school to public institution traces, in miniature, the broader shift of Venice's grand family palaces from private homes into civic and educational use.

Cultural evolution

The building's Gothic facade survived all of these changes in ownership and use largely intact, which is part of why it's still cited today as one of the oldest surviving examples of Venetian Gothic domestic architecture in the city.

Present-day significance

Palazzo Ariani now houses the Vendramin Corner Technical Institute, a public school -- an active, working building rather than a museum, with its historic facade visible from the surrounding streets and canal.

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