Ca' Foscari is one of the most important palazzi in Venice. The historic building was once the home of Francesco Foscari, a doge of the Serene Republic of Venice who acquired the Venetian Gothic palace in 1452, hired an architect to reconstruct it, and died just five days after moving into his new home in 1457.

Today, Ca' Foscari is the administrative seat of Ca' Foscari University, an educational institution that was founded in 1868 and now has 19,000 students in faculties scattered around Venice. The building was renovated under the direction of the Italian architect Carlo Scarpa in the mid-1930s and restored again from 2004 to 2006, when sections of the original floors and ceilings were uncovered and preserved for viewing.

Ca' Foscari and Grand Canal

ABOVE: The Ca' Foscari tour includes dramatic views of the Grand Canal fom the 15th Century palazzo's water entrance. (In the photo above, Barbara Cavalieri shares anecdotes about the palace with her two tour guests.)

Guided tours for the general public

Ca' Foscari University entrance In 2009, the university began offering inexpensive guided tours of Ca' Foscari in Italian and English. The tours take place from Monday through Friday at 2:15 p.m. and also on Monday, Thursday, and Friday at 11:30 a.m. You can buy tickets from the glass-windowed public-relations office on the right side of the lobby. Tickets go on sale 15 minutes before the tour, and you'll be told where to meet (either in the lobby or, in good weather, outside by the cistern in the main courtyard).

Ca' Giustinian staircase The tour includes a narrated walk through the courtyards of Ca' Foscari and the neighboring palace of Ca' Giustinian, visits to several important rooms in Ca' Foscari, and sweeping views of the Grand Canal from the palace's water entrance. It lasts about an hour and is well worth the modest price (which was €4,50 the last time we checked, or €3,50 for students and other visitors who are entitled to reductions).

For more information, including a YouTube video, visit the Ca' Foscari Tour page at the Università Ca' Foscari Web site. The English-language page has up-to-date schedules, prices, directions to the palazzo, and information for groups.

Alternatively, you can call ahead at 041/2348323 or e-mail urp@unive.it to confirm tour times.

Next page: More Ca' Foscari photos

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