Traveler Visits the Ca 'd'Oro in Venice

I visited the beautiful Ca 'd'Oro, one of the most well known palazzos on the Grand Canal. "Ca" means house, in this home's case the "Golden House". It was built in 1440 and it's facade was originally gilded.



The view from the first Loggia, or portico.


That is the big fish market to the left. This home was right in the middle of the daily activity of the Venetians.

Owners of these splendid houses lining the Grand Canal constantly competed against each other, each one making their houses as beautiful as their fortunes could afford. With it's shiny golden exterior, the Ca 'd'Oro was one of the most noticable...


A beautiful wooden staircase. Whenever I see something like this, I always imagine the people who have touched it throughout history. Each person had a life, dreams and hopes- it reminds me to always show respect for the historic places that I visit during my travels...


A well worn carved lion figure on the staircase. It is worn smooth from countless hands...


The beautiful wooden ceiling...


The second level Loggia.


A wonderful carved wooden lion- remember, the winged lion is the symbol of Venice...


The well in the central courtyard...


The ground floor portico- this would be the floor people would enter on when they arrived by boat.


The area and water steps where the boats would arrive, people would land right in the home itself by boat.