Venice - Palazzo Corner della Regina

The outstanding feature of this huge Baroque palace, built in 1724 by Domenico Rossi, is the frieze of grotesque heads in the facade just above the water-level.

The building was converted (unfortunately) from the Palazzo of Caterina Corner, Queen of Cyprus. The Corners, an old-established Venetian noble family, became so rich and powerful as a result of their sugar-cane plantation on Cyprus that the King of the island, James II, married the 18-year-old Caterina Corner in 1472. Eight months later the King died of poisoning. Caterina was forced to cede her kingdom to the Republic of Venice and in return was given Asolo as domain in exile and was allowed to spend the rest of her life (d. 1510) in her palace on the Canal Grande in a manner befitting her status. Thus Venice acquired Cyprus.

Queen Caterina's palace today houses the archives of the Biennale. The main facade overlooks the Canal Grande.