Ca Bembo

About

Ca Bembo is a grade-listed sixteenth-century palazzo in the parish of San Trovaso in the sestiere of Dorsoduro in Venice, Italy, noteworthy for a particularly large garden. It has, despite its name, no clear connection with the Bembo family, but a particularly strong association with one of the most prominent branches of the aristocratic Venetian family of the Barbarigo.

Origins: The area which now houses the palazzo was originally occupied by the main residence of the Osso duro- which is to say the Dorsoduro branch of the Barbarigo family, whose main property is first mentioned as lining the canal of San Trovaso in a property title deed dating from 1374. This branch was also known as the "Barbarigo de San Trovaso" branch. The Dorsoduro branch of the Barbarigo family went on to achieve particular prominence in the fifteenth century, its most eminent representative, Francesco "il Ricco", fathering Doge Marco Barbarigo (1413-1486) and Doge Agostino Barbarigo (1419-1501) as well as Dogaressa Elena Barbarigo, wife of Doge Niccolò Marcello. His firstborn son, who did not obtain the ducal title, Girolamo Barbarigo, was nevertheless a crucial player in the Republic's politics: an ambassador...