BY NICKY SUMMER: Palazzo Ca Sagredo is the epitome of what visitors expect of a grand Venetian hotel – a living museum in the sestiere of Cannaregio filled with exquisite tapestries and art. The collection is housed in a Byzantine property built back in the 14th century by the eminent Morosini family; central to the theme are beautifully preserved marble steps, baroque murals, gilded chandeliers and leaded windows with views directly on to the Grand Canal where it is positioned…
I arrived in Venice in the dead of night and glided by boat down the Grand Canal under an uncharacteristically blood red full moon, which cast a spooky glow over the buildings left and right; I’d come specifically to Venice to see the new Baby .3 sculpture by Lorenzo Quinn that was installed over the summer in the gardens of Palazzo Ca’ Corner – coincidentally, there was another dramatic piece by the artist installed at the foot of the staircase in the lobby of Ca’ Sagredo, above right. *The work of Lorenzo Quinn is now synonymous with the city and the ‘Save Venice’ foundation…
Ca’ Sagredo was purchased from the Morosini family in 1661 by the family of ambassador and mathematician Nicolo Sagredo, who was a friend of Galileo, and was 105th Doge of the city from February 1675 until his death only two years later aged just 48…”
Ca Sagredo, Venezia
Ca Sagredo is recognised as one of the most prestigious special event venues in the world and the dining area (above left), where breakfast is taken, is situated in an ante room to the formal ballroom where major celebrations take place. To sit in either of these rooms and absorb the ambience with classical Italian music, breathtakingly intricate ceiling murals and gentle sunlight filtering through the leaded windows is an emotional experience to remember…
I arrived in Venice to see the Baby .3 sculpture (below) at the height of summer, which is a first for me as I normally visit during the winter months when the weather is not too hot and the city has fewer tourists; however, inside the hotel is as cool, calm and hushed as a Venetian church due to it’s position down a tiny street to one side, the canal to the front and the thickness of the marble clad interior and ancient stone walls…
The suites of Ca’ Sagredo are spacious with ornate gilt-framed furnishings, velvet and silk drapes, Murano glass lamps and shuttered windows overlooking a cityscape of church spires, ochre and terracotta buildings with red tiled rooftops – a scene that’s lain unaltered for centuries…
There are many beautiful hotels to choose from in the city, however my stay at Ca’ Segrado felt like one of the most authentic experiences thanks to the careful preservation of the palazzo and the charm of the Venetian staff. I’d recommend the palazzo for a romantic weekend at any time of year, if travelling solo and looking for peace and serenity in a magical location or as an outstanding venue for a wedding, party or gala…
CA SAGREDO, VENEZIA: http://www.casagredohotel.com
