Venice - Palazzo Dolfin-Manin

Another large palace with an impressive facade, the Palazzo Dolfin-Manin was built between 1538 and 1560 by Sansovino. It was the residence of the 120th and last Doge, Ludovico Manin, during his time in office (1789-1797). Today it houses the Banca d'Italia.

Manin's elevation to the office of Doge, when he declared himself in such a state of trepidation that he hardly knew what he was doing, was followed on May 12th 1797 with his being obliged to declare the dissolution of the 1,000-year-old Republic of St Mark when, with the words "It will not be needed any more", he handed over his insignia of office. He had to make his country residence, Campo Formio in Friuli, available for the negotiations that led to Napoleon's handing the "city on the water" over to Austria as a "consolation prize".