Venice - Ca' Foscari

The palace, today part of the university, is one of the most important Late Gothic buildings in Venice. When Doge Francesco Foscari (1423-57) ordered its building in the 15th century it had four floors which was unknown at that time.

Foscari enlarged the mainland of the Venetian Republic in the west, but neglected to formulate policy in the east and was eventually forced in 1454 to sign a declaration surrendering the Eastern Mediterranean to the Turkish Sultan. In 1457, the year of his death, Foscari was overthrown by his opponents, the Loredani family, and his son Jacopo was banished.

In 1574 King Henry III of France used the palace as a residence. The main façade overlooks the Canal Grande.